Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, meet the percentage requirements for TDIU as they stem from a common etiology. The Board finds that these conditions render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and an increased evaluation for tinnitus were denied. The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, and his tinnitus is already at the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are related to his military service. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection for this condition is granted. The other claims of service connection are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them during his hearing.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as incurred in service. The issues of left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of May 19, 2008. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date provided by law is May 19, 2008, and denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for a 10% rating for tinnitus was denied as the effective date could not be earlier than November 27, 2005 due to filing over one year after the liberalizing laws at issue (March 1976 and June 1999).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and calluses of the left foot. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The earliest diagnosis of these conditions was 65 years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as they are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 9, 1984 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a low back disorder have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions and established continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise during active duty. The evidence is at least in equipoise on whether there was an intercurrent cause of the hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the Veteran has repeatedly denied having tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for the other conditions are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA medical examination and updating the claims file with any relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, as the evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to his service. The claim for right ear hearing loss is denied due to insufficient evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service exposure to noise. The initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and PTSD are granted.