Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral tinnitus is granted as the condition had its onset during combat service and continues since then.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus, have rendered him unemployable. However, a VA examination is needed to assess the combined effect of these conditions on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus disability is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus, which is a condition that developed due to in-service acoustic trauma. The case is being remanded to obtain treatment records from the Veteran's private ENT physician.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or a significant increase in hearing loss during service. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to other factors such as occupational noise exposure and recreational activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and finds no evidence of tinnitus within one year following separation from service. The VA examiner's opinion is against the claim, stating that the bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely as not caused by or a result of his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left knee disability have been denied as there is no competent evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to active military service and granted his claim for service connection.,The Board also found that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The Board also found that any current hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Bilateral pes planus was presumed to have existed prior to service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not established as they are not considered presumptively related to military service.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus is causally related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors. The Veteran is diagnosed with various psychiatric disorders and may require a VA examination to determine if any are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions. The VA audiology examination did not find a link between current hearing loss and tinnitus and military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for visual disability and bilateral tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for a head injury. The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, to include as secondary to a head injury, are also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess his PTSD symptoms. The Veteran also needs an opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues of service connection for myelofibrosis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, as well as an increased evaluation for PTSD have been dismissed.