Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a significant change in hearing over the brief period he served.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. For headaches, while there is no direct evidence linking them to service, the Board also finds it at least as likely as not that they are caused by a service-connected disability (hypertension).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to verify his duty status with the Michigan Army National Guard (ARNG) from December 1986 to October 1992, and to attempt to verify additional stressors for PTSD. The VA examiner will provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during a period of active duty or is related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection was denied as there was no formal or informal claim provided regarding the condition prior to January 17, 2007.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been denied as no higher evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for Hepatitis C remains pending as VA will obtain additional medical opinions before making a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating since May 26, 2010. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to loud noise during combat in Vietnam is presumed to have caused his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and is related to his military noise exposure, thus granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes and his tinnitus is not related to service. Therefore, he was denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to in-service noise exposure. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for tinnitus, which he asserts was caused by acoustic trauma during his military service in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine if the currently-diagnosed tinnitus is etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or onset of symptoms during the first postservice year. The VA examiner found that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely due to acoustic trauma in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to his period of active service, granting his claims for these conditions.