Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as further development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred during active service, and the Board finds that his claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have continued to the present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to service, including exposure to acoustic trauma in combat service. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with equipoise in the evidence supporting this determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, hypertension, alcohol abuse, and cirrhosis of the liver. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, but his right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were both rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus is proximately due to or chronically worsened by his service-connected psychotic disorder. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 8, 2014 was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for tinnitus as his current disability does not have a nexus to military service. For the period prior to May 8, 2014, the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were not met.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The case will be remanded to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least in equipoise with service connection, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a gunshot wound of the left wrist are being remanded. The claim for an effective date prior to July 1, 2008 for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 4th ed., that is related to a verified stressor event.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as there is no competent evidence establishing that the condition is related to disease or injury or other event in active service. The first manifestation of diabetes mellitus type II occurred many years after service separation and it was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic low back disorder or bilateral knee disability that was incurred in service. The VA examiner found no link between current degenerative joint disease and service, including the single episode of back pain during service.,Regarding hearing loss, the Veteran's post-service medical records show sensorineural hearing loss, which is presumed to have been incurred due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. New evidence shows current diagnoses of these conditions.,However, the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but dismissed the appeal for right ear hearing loss as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and there is no evidence of tinnitus in service or within one year post-service. As such, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examinations and incomplete medical records, and the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being returned to the AOJ for further development.