Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess his employability status due to service-connected disabilities, and for clarification on whether he desires a hearing.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are due to noise exposure during his military service. The Board finds that additional development is necessary as there are no available service treatment records.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and residuals of bilateral ear surgery, including tinnitus, are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD as per DSM-IV, and thus service connection is denied. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and new evidence submitted at his hearing. The claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated during service, and his tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. Therefore, both conditions are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are found to have had an onset during service and is granted service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left ankle injury, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and gastrointestinal disorder (chronic diarrhea) is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during his active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's statements concerning tinnitus onset are credible, and establishes the in-service incurrence of an injury (noise exposure) resulting in current tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral eye injury, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and a breathing condition.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and cervical spine disorder do not constitute an employment handicap that prevents him from working as a pilot or chiropractor, thus he is not entitled to VA Vocational Rehabilitation services.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining personnel records and a VA examination. The appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus are being evaluated in light of his service with the Army National Guard and Army Reserve.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to noise during service. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The examiner will be asked to consider whether current hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, low back disability and PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between his current tinnitus and service. As such, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be established.