Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his claims for increased ratings for chronic adjustment disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his noise exposure during active military service, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the September 1993 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral tinnitus, which resulted in an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards and there is no competent evidence reflective of a tinnitus disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is moot due to a grant of service connection by the AMC in November 2011. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of an injury to the back of the head with headaches are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depression and OCD. The evidence received since the last final decisions does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral foot disorders, and bilateral ankle disorders, did not begin during or were otherwise caused by her active service. As such, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to gunfire and aircraft engine noise. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the right knee, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since March 30, 2011. As a result, he is granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. However, the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service acoustic trauma. The benefit of doubt has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and need for additional opinions regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU since September 25, 2008 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, tinnitus, hearing loss, tinea pedis of the hands, and skin disability of the feet are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing, and not because of any issues with service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral eye condition will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to his combat noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, with the evidence being in equipoise on this issue.