Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's condition has not worsened to the extent that he has sustained a substantial loss of independence, and other changes in his circumstances have not caused a substantial loss of independence. The VR&E Service determined that no independent living needs had been identified.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and left ear tinnitus, finding that the earliest date of receipt of claim was March 13, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for new VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and higher ratings for tinnitus are being reviewed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a vocational expert opinion regarding his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current tinnitus disability and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any other etiology for her claimed condition. As such, service connection for tinnitus cannot be established.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during service and is not causally or etiologically related to service. The claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and dismissed the claim to service connection under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of radiation treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, with no presumption of exposure or other specific basis for connection.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for tinnitus, finding that the first evidence in the claims file regarding a claim for tinnitus was received on May 11, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder during his active duty service or within one year of discharge, and there is no competent evidence to indicate that any current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service. The claim for tinnitus was denied as well.

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and is granted service connection. However, there is no evidence of hearing loss in either ear for VA purposes during or contemporary to the pendency of the claim, thus denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for hypertension and a TDIU. The Board has remanded the hypertension claim due to disagreement with its denial, while the TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right hip and foot disorders, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, stress incontinence (claimed as bladder disorder), left and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Veteran did not provide evidence of a current disability for the claimed hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Board video conference hearing. His claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and end stage renal disease are not related to his service, and have denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their clinical onset in service or were otherwise related to active duty. The Veteran's hearing loss was attributed to idiopathic origin, while his tinnitus had a long history.