Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes or tinnitus. The claims of service connection for astigmatism and myopia, low back strain, cervical and pelvic non-allopathic lesions, myalgia and myositis, hypertension, and external hemorrhoids are denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the pre-existing hearing defect did not worsen during service, and there is no presumption of aggravation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service. However, the Veteran does not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to a lack of active duty during a wartime period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and right ear hearing loss were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% disability rating for tinnitus, but the Board found that this did not warrant an increased evaluation. His claims for ischemic heart disease, anxiety disorder, bilateral tinea pedis, and left ear hearing loss are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not manifest during service and is not related to his military noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, while his heart disorder is denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis during the pendency of this appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The RO also found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or caused by military acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred during active military service and is not shown to be related to his service. The claim for a sleep disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, is attributable to service. The Board finds that this condition was incurred in active duty.

The Board finds that the evidence is roughly in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his active service, and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has determined that the Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer, status post radical prostatectomy warrant a 20 percent rating effective from August 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his functional impairment from service-connected disabilities. The AOJ will readjudicate the case with consideration of all evidence received since the last prior adjudication.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral foot condition have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The claim of service connection for tinnitus has not been met.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including noise exposure during combat operations in Vietnam. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the December 2013 decision, including incomplete VA examination reports and insufficient rationale for findings. The Veteran is to be provided additional VA examinations concerning his claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder. The rating for his bilateral pes planus was also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and denied his claims for service connection for a dental disability, SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound, and TDIU.