Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus (due to herbicide exposure), high blood pressure (due to diabetes mellitus), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have tinnitus attributable to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim of service connection for a respiratory disability remains on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been found to be related to service, but his DJD of the thoracolumbar spine, neck disability, and bilateral foot disability have not. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability is related to his active military service, including in-service acoustic trauma. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining employment history information and VA/SSA records. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, as the current opinion is based solely on normal hearing at discharge without considering the Veteran's statements about the onset of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise on all material elements of both claims, and thus service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at Faith Regional Health Services and NE Nebraska Cardiology Consultants were not authorized by VA, and the criteria for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725 were not met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied, as the evidence did not show current disabilities. The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis was rated at 20% and his lumbar spinal degenerative arthritis with spondylosis and central stenosis was rated at 10%. These ratings are maintained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin in service and is not linked to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric, hearing loss, and tinnitus conditions. The claims will be further developed with additional examinations.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was aggravated by service, and she is granted service connection for tinnitus. However, her right ear hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities did not have onset during service or within one year of separation, and are not otherwise related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches are related to his service. As such, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have tinnitus that is attributable to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun in service and continues since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and he is already service connected for lead poisoning. The hearing loss claim will be remanded as it requires further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, with the onset occurring during his military service. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.