Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

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. The claims are granted subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed chronic hepatitis C was caused by his willful misconduct, specifically his intravenous drug use during service. Therefore, service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no medical evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

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

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran is requested to provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner or another qualified individual, considering his combat service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist disorder, bilateral hand disorder, tinnitus, and an acquired mental disorder (PTSD). The hearing loss claim was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The right eye condition claim was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability, while his tinnitus is not shown to have been caused by noise exposure in service. The Board finds that service connection cannot be granted as there is no medical evidence establishing a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further examination as the current evidence is insufficient to determine their etiology. The claims will be reconsidered after a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ganglion cyst of the left wrist, tinnitus, and right foot disability was denied. The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with PTSD has been granted a rating of 30% prior to July 7, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, back disability, and radicular pain of the left lower extremity. The TDIU claim based on Hepatitis C was also denied as his current rating already rendered this issue moot.

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

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted as it is found to be related to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his tinnitus claim, as well as determining the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder bursitis. The AOJ must also consider whether staged ratings are appropriate in light of Hart v. Mansfield.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, specifically noting inconsistencies in his statements regarding when these conditions began.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.,Further examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current hip and knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, low back disability, headache disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The appellant failed to report for multiple scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing and is unable to proceed without scheduling this hearing.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset during active service and has been present since that time, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood that these conditions are related to his military service.