Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not use hearing protection in service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence in the record prior to May 31, 2005 that can be interpreted as a claim for these conditions.,There are no medical records indicating treatment or diagnosis of PTSD or tinnitus prior to May 31, 2005.

The Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not incurred during his period of service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have been incurred during service, and his bilateral hearing loss is presumed to be related to service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for both conditions are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, thus granting entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete development. The Board requests an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the likelihood of a delayed or latent onset theory of causation.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial compensable evaluation were denied as there was no formal or informal claim prior to June 16, 2010. The effective date of service connection is the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence addressing the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to maintain employment. Additional VA treatment records are also needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service, and concluded that any current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to service. For the lung disability claim, the Veteran's current diagnosis was noted but the Board determined there is insufficient evidence linking it to service exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to noise exposure during his military service, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and liver transplant. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they were caused by exposure to acoustic trauma during active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure and his current symptoms are credible. The claim of bilateral hearing loss is referred to the AOJ due to its separate nature.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his current level of hearing impairment and the etiology of his tinnitus. The examiner will need to consider the reliability of previous audiometric testing and provide an opinion on whether service connection can be established.