Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was initially shown on November 20, 2010. The Board found that a noncompensable rating prior to this date and a 20% rating from November 20, 2010 is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental nexus opinion regarding tinnitus and skin cancer.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to current conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal by the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding her claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The tinnitus claim remains on hold pending further development of her bilateral hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's vestibular neuronitis/vertigo is etiologically related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at separation from service and no in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner opined that both conditions were less likely caused by or a result of an event in military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disability, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's injuries, including a fracture of the skull and hearing loss/tinnitus resulting from a fall on January 3, 1980, were found to be proximately caused by his own alcohol abuse. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not been shown to prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and he is also granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The claims are based on direct evidence of a link between current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service and granted. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and to service connection for right ear hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are related to in-service noise exposure. However, there is no medical evidence indicating a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The case is therefore remanded to obtain an updated audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, as evidenced by credible lay assertions of onset and continuity of symptoms. As such, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have originated during his active service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether his tinnitus had its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his service. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.