Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, granting these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of tinnitus remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service due to lack of evidence of symptoms during or shortly after service, and no clear and convincing evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had onset during active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a request by the Veteran to withdraw his claim of gastroesophageal reflux disease, claimed as chemical gastritis. The remaining claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus are being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus of the left ear, finding that new evidence supports a grant of service connection. The decision is based on noise exposure during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining the October 31, 1986 accident report and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding his tinnitus and feet disabilities.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as he has worked in various sedentary positions and is capable of engaging in less physically demanding work.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be adjudicated. This includes obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records, as well as arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining missing service treatment records, arranging for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and considering all submitted evidence.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, but his claim for right carpal tunnel syndrome remains pending as the evidence is in equipoise.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, meeting the criteria for service connection.