Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeal, specifically to include all issues identified on the title page of this decision and his request for a Board hearing.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, while his eye disability and adjustment disorder are not considered incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder incurred in or related to service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is also not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, but his bilateral hearing loss disability and skin disorder of the feet claims are pending as there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability for VA purposes.

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 Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, giving rise to a reasonable doubt. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking to have CUE found in rating decisions related to her service connection for tinnitus, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. The claims are being remanded for the RO to provide a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his period of active service, including exposure to acoustic trauma from driving a Gama Goat vehicle.

The Board found no evidence of tinnitus or hearing loss in service and denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, specifically the exposure to loud jet engine noise during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and low back disability are not service-connected. The claim for tinnitus was denied due to inconsistent reports of when the condition started, while the claim for a low back disability remains pending as it is unclear whether service connection had already been awarded.

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

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues with communication and delivery of important documents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection and for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that the Veteran did not file a timely notice of disagreement with the assigned effective date, and thus his claim is barred by finality.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus had onset during service and has continued since service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, and his degenerative joint disease with intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent effective March 17, 2009. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA audiology examination to determine the etiology of his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's claims are supported by competent and credible evidence. The decision also notes that a new VA opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's hearing loss was caused by in-service noise exposure.