Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to noise from painting duties. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since the date of his claim on August 5, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA medical records and to schedule him for a new examination. The claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for further development, including a new opinion from an examiner who can consider the Veteran's history of tinnitus since service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss or significant noise exposure during service. The VA audiologist concluded that the current hearing loss is less likely than not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cold weather injury residuals to the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's claims were previously denied in December 2008 due to lack of nexus to service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records relevant to the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, including noise exposure. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have its onset in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is due to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition. The low back disorder claim remains pending as it pertains to a secondary service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, PTSD, coronary artery disease, connective tissue disorder, tinnitus, and appendectomy, produce sufficient impairment to make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during service and thus denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of tinnitus was also addressed, but as it is a separate claim from hearing loss, no disposition could be made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right and left plantar pain are not related to his service or any service-connected conditions, leading to a denial of both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the service treatment records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.