Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that a new VA audiological examination is necessary to properly assess the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as the previous opinions are inadequate.

The Veteran does not have tinnitus that is attributable to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and a supplemental medical opinion regarding the Veteran's tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for residuals, left shoulder disability with scar and residual scarring of left upper lobe of lung, status post radiation therapy were denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during active service and is not related to any in-service disease, event, or injury. The Board also found that it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, including on an extra-schedular basis, due to the need for further development and consideration of his increased rating claim for service-connected lumbar spine disability. The VA will also consider whether he is eligible for a schedular TDIU based on his combined disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally or etiologically related to his active service and his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, warranting service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss. The claim for an initial, compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and the request to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no diagnosed disability. The status of the claims for tinnitus, hypertension, right shoulder disability, and left collarbone disability are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and subsequent symptoms have been reasonably demonstrated by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his military service, and the Board finds that the evidence supports the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 26, 2010, for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 26, 2010, for the award of service connection for tinnitus is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that his symptoms are related to in-service noise exposure and have persisted since service discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to active military service. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between in-service noise exposure and post-service hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for migraine headaches, asthma, and tinnitus due to their secondary nature to service-connected conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, are found to be sufficient for a TDIU due to their combined effect on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

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