Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during service and has been present since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has awarded service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted as it was incurred in active service. The other claims are pending and will be addressed further.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was initially denied in April 1987, but new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the denial. The effective date is set at October 16, 1986.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be caused by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for tinnitus secondary to this condition is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected as it did not begin during service or due to in-service noise exposure. The Board found the evidence against a finding that tinnitus began during service, was related to in-service noise exposure, or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from an audiologist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within one year after separation. The VA examiners concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records related to a VA administrative tort claim and providing an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Board has ordered a new examination and opinion to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, specifically considering in-service acoustic trauma. The case is being remanded due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is now granted for PTSD.,Tinnitus, a symptom associated with the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss, has also been granted as secondary to his service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that his conditions preexisted service or were not aggravated by it. A new VA examination is needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The Board finds that the Veteran experienced noise exposure during his military service, which is considered a presumptive basis for service connection of tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be present at separation from service or within one year thereafter.

The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure, and he has a current disability. The initial rating period for the rash does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, specifically his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to acoustic trauma during service is at least as likely as not related to his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him helpless in the performance of activities of daily living and in protecting himself from everyday hazards, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus disability that is related to his military service. The evidence of record, including VA and private treatment records, shows no complaints or findings of hearing loss or tinnitus during service or for many years following separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current sleep disability, nasal fracture residuals, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, sinusitis, or stomach disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.