Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis with degenerative joint disease (DJD) is denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the Veteran's range of motion was limited by pain, weakened movement, and flares upon repetition.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting audiometric test results and a need for further medical evaluation. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus was established prior to the November 2007 rating decision, and no additional evidence has been provided that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, the issues of service connection remain unresolved as new evidence does not establish a clear and unmistakable increase in severity during service or provide sufficient evidence to determine if noise exposure caused or aggravated these conditions.

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

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his claim for an effective date prior to May 28, 2010 for tinnitus. The claims of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and back disability were denied.

The Board denied service connection for frostbite of the feet, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,There is no direct evidence showing that current foot symptoms are related to cold weather exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in service, as there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back condition is not etiologically related to his service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection. The issue of tinnitus remains pending as it was not adjudicated in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it etiologically related to service. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to exposure to Agent Orange is denied as there was no confirmed in-country herbicide exposure and the Veteran's current condition does not meet presumptive criteria.

The Board has found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus, with the Board finding that his current diagnosis of bilateral tinnitus is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The claim for a dental disability was not addressed as it is considered part of the VA outpatient dental treatment process.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including noise exposure.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate compliance with a previous remand and for an addendum opinion regarding delayed onset of hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service. Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss due to lack of a medical nexus.