Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran asserts that he experienced tinnitus since mid-1971 due to exposure to loud engine noise while driving a truck with a refrigeration unit in service. After reviewing the evidence, including a December 2008 private opinion and a November 2008 VA examination, the Board finds it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The VA examinations did not support a finding of current disabilities for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including exposure to noise. The VA examiner found that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are not at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not show a current disability for VA purposes within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and noise exposure history.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as they are both rated at the minimum level (0%) due to their respective disability levels.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and VA treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or acoustic trauma. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability was first noted many years after service, and his tinnitus did not manifest until after service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's exposure to machine gun fire during service and its relation to his current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during service and is granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal as to service connection for a TBI was withdrawn. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disorder were also withdrawn.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been shown to have been incurred during active service with symptoms ever since separation, and the Board granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, the Board finds that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a DRO hearing and, if necessary, another Board hearing. The claims will be readjudicated after these hearings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and post-service medical records. The effective date of the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder must also be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to service and granted his claim for service connection.