Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's depression is due to his service-connected left finger disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to her military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms post-service. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service noise exposure are credible but do not establish a nexus between her current conditions and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding that it is related to her service-connected multiple sclerosis. The right ear disability and respiratory disability claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Board videoconference hearing. The case will be forwarded to the Board for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss as aggravation of a pre-existing condition, and service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is presumed based on in-service noise exposure, while his tinnitus is presumed due to its onset during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by his military service. The lung plaque condition is not found to be related to service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The low back disorder claim will be remanded as it was not fully addressed in the previous rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to noise exposure during military service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset in service and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during active duty. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with the right ear hearing loss being due to active service. The Veteran's tinnitus has not resulted in a schedular evaluation higher than 10%.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected, and he is granted a noncompensable rating for his left foot hammertoe. The issue of service connection for the lumbar spine disability has been remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether they are related to his periods of active duty for training or inactive duty for training.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether there is a relationship between service and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The other claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete VA records and referred the case for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran's TDIU rating is being remanded.

The Veteran has current tinnitus that began after noise exposure from his duties as a field artillery battery man during his active duty service and has continued since that time. The Board finds the Veteran's statements credible regarding in-service acoustic trauma and symptoms of tinnitus, and supports service connection for tinnitus.