Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they do not have a link to his military service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or any other connection between these conditions and his time in active duty.

The Veteran's tinnitus, lumbosacral strain, right elbow condition, and right great toe disability are all rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The right quadriceps injury is also rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and fibromyalgia, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's skin cancer, hearing loss, or tinnitus to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current tinnitus was incurred in service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims of reopening and service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a back condition, neck condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition are pending. The RO found new and material evidence in some cases but denied others on the merits.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his active duty service and has denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and a VA examination to address the Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus claims. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not due to noise exposure during his period of active service, including artillery and other weapons noise in Germany. As such, the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and residuals of burn scars to the head, face, and neck are not related to active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, sleep apnea, low back strain, left knee strain, right knee medial meniscus tear, tinnitus, hypertension, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military service, including the conceded in-service acoustic trauma. Therefore, the claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he was not in a work release status while incarcerated at the Winnebago Correctional Center, and therefore does not meet the criteria for restoration of full disability compensation benefits.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service, granting the claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral leg disorder, a back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was set at July 23, 2012.