Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's vertigo is rated at 30 percent, effective June 7, 2010. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are separately rated as part of his Meniere's disease diagnosis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection was also granted for a back disability, but the Board found that it is less likely than not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's assertions of in-service onset and continuity are credible. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missing service treatment records and the need for a new VA examination for PTSD. The issues of increased evaluation for PTSD, entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to service connection for tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal to reopen previously denied claims of service connection for pterygium and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo.

The Board has decided the appeal and remanded it due to inadequate examination findings, requiring further clarification of audiometric test results from service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disability including COPD, asthma, and dyspnea are all granted. The respiratory disability claim is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding insecticide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, but his bilateral hearing loss is not. The evidence does not show a current disability for which he can be granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's reports of symptoms are credible and that there is a continuity of symptomatology from service. The Board also found that the evidence supports a link between noise exposure in service and current hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by active service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection. The hearing loss issue remains pending due to lack of evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service. The claim for service connection for a personality disorder was remanded due to inadequate examination report.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has current sensorineural hearing loss in his right ear, which meets the criteria for a disability rating under VA compensation guidelines. Tinnitus is also found to be incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and potential acoustic trauma exposure during active duty training.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for both conditions. The Veteran withdrew these appeals during a June 2014 hearing.,The Board also found that there is no evidence of an earlier claim for service connection for tinnitus prior to the current effective date of June 20, 2011. Therefore, the earliest possible effective date for service connection of tinnitus is June 20, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left eye injury, finding that the current cataract is as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service left eye injury. The remaining claims are remanded due to insufficient examination reports and need further development.

Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus on the basis of aggravation during service has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and chronic pain syndrome, to include a right knee disorder, are related to his active duty service. The evidence is in equipoise regarding these claims.