Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left foot disorder, and a back disorder. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current hearing loss was not related to service or any incident of service, while finding his tinnitus was incurred during service. The VA examiner also determined that the Veteran's pes cavus existed prior to military service and was not permanently worsened beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset during active service and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The claim for a prostate disorder is remanded as it requires an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus has been found to be clinically associated with his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and work experience.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right leg numbness and tingling has been withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not etiologically related to noise exposure in service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar spine condition with bilateral radiculopathy, and left thumb scar with peripheral nerve condition, do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding no nexus to his military service and insufficient evidence of a current disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The appeal regarding nonservice-connected pension benefits is dismissed.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including whether they are related to service or pre-existed service. The claims will be remanded for a VA examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have tinnitus or cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities that are related to service. The evidence is against a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be at least as likely as not incurred during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his in-service noise exposure and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center from May 26, 2012, through June 3, 2012 are now covered by VA.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but rather due to post-service noise exposure. The left ear injury was not diagnosed.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied these claims. The tinnitus was also not linked to service.

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

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