Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence, including a recent grant of service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, spine conditions, and hand/tendon disorders. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an opinion on the impact of these disabilities on employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not present during service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and reopening of service connection claims were denied. The tinnitus claim was not reopened as there is no new evidence relating to a previously unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The hearing loss claim was also not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The skin condition and back disability claims were reopened, but service connection was not granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected due to exposure to acoustic trauma in service. The knee disability claim was denied as there is no clear evidence linking it to service.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss, tinnitus, or back disability related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has decided that additional evidence is needed and the case is being sent back to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to outstanding records and further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure. The lumbar spine disability is granted for the period prior to March 30, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the claim for a bilateral ear disorder to include aerotitus and barotitis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss disability will be remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service, as his preexisting hearing loss was noted at entry into service. The Board concluded that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not manifest until many years after service, and thus denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss in the left ear is still pending as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not incurred in service, and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to significant acoustic trauma as a heavy tank mechanic. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are as likely as not due to exposure to military weapons during active service. Service connection is denied for carpal tunnel syndrome and sarcoidosis.