Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is not rated higher than noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for COPD was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for tinnitus as it was granted by a May 2013 rating decision. The Veteran's claim of an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is as likely as not due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an earlier effective date for a 40 percent rating for his right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was not granted as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or combat-related injury. For the right shoulder disability, the Board found that the higher evaluation was not warranted before December 9, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his tinnitus is less likely as not caused by or a result of military noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining clarification from Dr. Brager regarding the cause of his colorectal cancer and scheduling an examination to determine if it was caused by herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion are inadequate for the issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Parkinson's disease. The case is REMANDED to obtain clarification on the etiology of these conditions and to verify herbicide exposure if applicable.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are as likely as not related to his military service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and procedural issues.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service for the claimed conditions. Service connection was not granted for tinnitus, but denied for all other claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is caused by his service-connected left ear hearing loss, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during his active duty service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cataracts are as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board also found that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for new examinations.