Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examination and notification. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder will be considered further.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his Reserve service records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise during his period of active duty. As a result, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not attributable to his active military service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss was denied, but he was granted service connection for tinnitus.

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 in-service noise exposure or any changes in hearing thresholds during service. The VA examiners concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to civilian occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer, status-post prostatectomy resulted in a voiding dysfunction causing him to void 5 or more times per night. The disability is currently rated at 40 percent and has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and is related to his in-service noise exposure. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and his tinnitus did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew all claims currently on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish a nexus between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service, including exposure to loud noises.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete notice and treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, and restored a 10% disability rating for his residual left knee scar. The appeal is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not caused by military noise exposure.,For the increased rating claim for prostatitis, the Board found that the current disability does not meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating as there is no evidence of urinary leakage requiring absorbent materials or other severe symptoms.