Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD were found to be related to his service. The cause of death was determined to be brain swelling and herniation due to other significant conditions such as chronic alcohol use, tobacco use, Coumadin therapy, and deep venous thrombosis.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and is granted service connection. The Veteran's spouse is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and continued following his discharge from service, warranting the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected, and his maxillary sinusitis and dermatitis are each rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, kidney disease, left knee disability, and right knee disability have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during or were otherwise caused by his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for COPD, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, diabetes mellitus, or head injury. The Veteran is entitled to increased evaluations for focal pain syndrome with severe migraine headaches and post-traumatic scar of the left forehead.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims, including the need for an appropriate VA examination.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during combat. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran is granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are related to his military service. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of current evidence meeting VA's criteria.,Service connection is also granted for Raynaud's disease and vasospastic disease of both hands, which the Veteran contends were caused by cold injury during service.

The Veteran's claim for additional compensation for a dependent spouse was denied as he did not provide the necessary information within one year of notification and his effective date is March 1, 2010.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a peripheral vestibular disorder, finding that both conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure and resulting hearing loss.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during military service and has been continuous since then, granting service connection for this condition. The other issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure, as the evidence is at least in relative equipoise regarding its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are likely due to his exposure to noise during active service.