Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the Veteran's increased rating claims for PTSD, hernia residuals, TBI, and headaches are remanded due to outstanding evidence.

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. After reviewing all available records, including VA examinations and treatment records, it was found that the Veteran had a history of noise exposure during his military service which resulted in current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board concluded that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neck strain has been reopened and granted. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure. The decision also grants the benefit of doubt to the Veteran regarding his current hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for tinnitus, finding that the earliest effective date is the date of the petition to reopen rather than the date of the initial claim. The Veteran did not submit another claim prior to March 14, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The Veteran is entitled to a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his claim for increased rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by active service, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is causally related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the medical opinion evidence did not support a connection between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a causal link between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities and his military service, including acoustic trauma. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and determination of whether service connection should be granted for a non-tinnitus ear condition. The case will also be readjudicated regarding his claim for an increased rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of posttraumatic stress disorder and radiculopathy of the left arm as they were withdrawn by the Veteran. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and skin condition of the left lower extremity are denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a request for a DRO hearing, and no steps have been taken to address this request. The case is now returned to the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 18, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing disability and tinnitus is granted. The Board found that the Veteran had in-service noise exposure, but did not establish a nexus between his current disabilities and service.