Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is likely due to his in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition. The claims of bilateral hearing loss disability and left ankle disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no verified in-service stressor and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but granted service connection for tinnitus based on a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional examination and review of evidence, including the Veteran's history of difficulty hearing immediately after service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating for residuals of a left ankle fracture was denied in May 1992, and the effective date assigned is October 17, 1991. The Board found that it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran met the criteria for a 10 percent rating prior to March 24, 2009.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied in May 1987 and confirmed in May 1992 and May 1999. The Board found that it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran met the criteria for a grant of service connection prior to March 24, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The claim for a higher rating for his thyroid disability was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to noise in service, including artillery fire, which is sufficient to establish a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination, before being readjudicated.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset during active service and is granted service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for low back pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ankle condition due to new evidence. The other issues remain in their current status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral tinnitus is related to service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to her military service, and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus and chronic lumbar strain are related to his active service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to additional development needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.