Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability, attributing these conditions to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no showing of a current disability involving tinnitus. The low back condition issue is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran reported symptoms of tinnitus during his active duty, which was conceded by VA. Hearing loss was not shown to be present at this time.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active service and is granted as service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective February 16, 2010. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional medical examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims. The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and there is no medical evidence linking his current tinnitus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and ear disorder other than hearing loss and tinnitus (claimed as otitis media) are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's participation in live artillery fire exercises during service caused this condition. Service connection was denied for low back disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, and the Board finds that he has a current diagnosis of bilateral tinnitus. The criteria for entitlement to service connection for tinnitus have been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, and seborrheic dermatitis in the groin area is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a head laceration with loss of consciousness is denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) are pending as additional evidence may be needed to establish the presence or etiology of these conditions. Service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to PTSD remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. However, the evidence does not support a finding of service connection as both conditions are considered to be due to post-service noise exposure rather than in-service events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches are being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and denied his claim for COPD. The decision on COPD is pending as it was addressed in a separate issue.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the reopening of service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, an upper respiratory condition (to include sleep apnea), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. As a result, these issues are dismissed.