Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, and low back disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo are not related to service or any incident of service origin. The preponderance of evidence shows these conditions were not present in service or until many years thereafter.

The Veteran's pes planus disability was reduced to a noncompensable rating, effective June 1, 2009. The Board found that the reduction was proper based on improvement in his condition. The Veteran's total disability due to individual unemployability claim is denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active duty service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to his induction into active duty service in October 1943. The Veteran reported experiencing acoustic trauma during service, but there is no medical evidence linking his current tinnitus to his military service or any period of noise exposure. As a result, the Board has denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure. The hearing loss claim remains pending as it requires a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his service connection claims, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or within one year of separation. However, the Veteran reported a continuity of symptoms since service, which is sufficient to establish a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for tinnitus and has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim is now reopened, and the criteria for service connection have been met due to the Veteran's credible testimony indicating in-service exposure to artillery fire which likely initiated or aggravated his tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to questions regarding the exact nature and etiology of the disabilities at issue, including inservice noise exposure and alleged nasal trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus disability is due to in-service noise exposure and continuous symptoms since service separation, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled hearings and will need to schedule a new hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to August 18, 2009.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be reached on the merits of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, knee disability, shoulder disability, elbow disability, wrist disability, hand disability, and hip disability are granted as they are considered direct service connections due to cold injury exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and found that new evidence supports reopening. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss, but not tinnitus.

The Board has determined that further development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA examinations and considering all submitted evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but remanded for further development due to incomplete evidence regarding his periods of National Guard and Air Force Reserve service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, while his tinnitus is linked to both in-service noise exposure and a continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.