Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The lumbar spine DJD claim remains pending as a new examination is needed due to potential aggravation by service-connected knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination due to the Veteran's failure to appear at a previously scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertensive heart disease / LVH are all found to be related to his military service. The appeal is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are presumed to be related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his service. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and there is no evidence of such disabilities during the appeal period. The Veteran's cold injury residuals are found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's National Guard service periods and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of tinnitus and insomnia.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his active service. The evidence showed no complaints or findings of hearing loss or tinnitus during service or within one year after separation, and there was no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

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 disability and tinnitus. The Veteran had noise exposure during service, and credible lay evidence supports continuous symptoms of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus since service. Service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, but granted service connection for both conditions based on direct evidence of a nexus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely than not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and finds that the Veteran's current right ankle disorder is related to his in-service injury. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, IBS, GERD, prostatitis, hypertension, degenerative arthritis of right acromioclavicular joints, and triceps muscle injury are addressed on remand.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss disability during service and denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of tinnitus was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. Effective dates of January 25, 2005 have been granted for his service connection claims.

The Veteran seeks effective dates prior to March 8, 2010 for increased ratings of hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The Board finds that no earlier effective dates are warranted.,There is no evidence showing an increase in disability within the year prior to the March 8, 2010 claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a claim prior to June 18, 2012.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD that is attributed to military sexual trauma experienced during service. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus, secondary to left ear hearing loss, is granted.