Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely due to noise exposure in service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were productive of clear interference with normal employability during the period from September 29, 1992 to April 5, 1994, warranting a 10 percent rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.324.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the appellant's service dates and obtain any relevant military records. The appellant should also be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current tinnitus is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have onset during active service, is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the current rating decision is not complete and requires additional development, including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have started during service and continue since then, warranting service connection under the benefit of the doubt.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, and his tinnitus is related to service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied a rating higher than the current 60 percent for residuals of an acoustic neuroma at the right cerebrellopontine angle, as the separate ratings for right facial palsy, tinnitus, right hearing loss, and aphthous stomatitis do not exceed the current single 60 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection for tinnitus on an accrued benefits basis was denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent, credible evidence linking the appellant's tinnitus to his military service. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder are all related to service. The decision is granted for these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an audiologist examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are likely due to noise exposure during service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeals for reopening claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and glaucoma. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right eye disability is denied as there is no evidence showing VA medical treatment resulted in additional right eye disability due to carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during service and the Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service. Thus, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of issues related to service connection for an eye disability and tinnitus, as well as a claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is advised that he should be scheduled for a VA examination and provided with a statement of the case on these matters.

The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident (stroke) is being remanded for further examination and consideration due to the need for additional evidence and a new opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of his separation from active duty.,However, the Veteran's tinnitus was present during his military service and is considered to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.