Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral hand disorder have all been denied. Service connection has been granted for diabetes mellitus with initial ratings of 20%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, including noise exposure. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to concerns about the validity of the VA examination and the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The claims for residuals of a right forearm shrapnel wound and bilateral knee injury have been remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have had their onset during active military service or are otherwise related to in-service exposure to combat noise. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is related to in-service noise exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, which likely had its onset during service. The right and left knee disabilities are not established as having their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its previous decision, requiring a TDIU opinion from a vocational expert.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not etiologically related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, hypertension, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, left heel disability, and left shoulder disability were denied as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The other issues remain pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while the back disability (claimed as TBI) and headaches are not found to be related to service.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, upper back disability, mid-to-low-back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and PTSD. The Veteran's reports of inservice acoustic trauma are accepted as credible evidence of an in-service event. Service connection is granted.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including consideration of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and records from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to his service, as they first manifested years after separation from active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for service connection as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it became manifest in-service or is otherwise shown to be related to in-service noise exposure. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the current hearing loss and tinnitus claims require additional development due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, while his bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder were not related to service.