Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, as his statements of noise exposure and tinnitus symptoms during service are credible. As a result, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating. He is currently rated at 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his exposure to hazardous noise in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus and Meniere's disease. The issues related to a left ankle condition, a left knee condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder are inextricably intertwined with these underlying service connection claims.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for which VA is authorized to grant service connection, and further established that his tinnitus did not have an onset in service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, as there is evidence of in-service incurrence and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim to reopen for a back disability and post-operative residuals of right nephrectomy has also been granted, but the claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee from November 3, 2006 to August 10, 2009 remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or for many years thereafter. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service, but his lung disability is not related to service or asbestos exposure. The bilateral hearing loss disability remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, as they were not found during his last VA examination. The case will be returned for further review after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset in service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current opinion does not address the impact of his military service on these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to a withdrawal request by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.,There is no clear evidence of record indicating that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulation and finds that any hearing loss he may be suffering from currently is not related to his military service. The same applies to tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiners found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and lack of consideration of the Veteran's complaints regarding hearing loss and tinnitus from service.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's tinnitus was incurred in active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board affirms that the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus is caused by or a result of his service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI). As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted.