Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied his claim of service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded due to in-service stressor verification.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active service, and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The claim for tinnitus remains pending as an addendum opinion is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disorder, including degenerative arthritis of the right hip, has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral hearing loss disability, as well as whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of tinnitus. Additionally, an SOC must be issued regarding increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees and residuals of a fracture of the right foot fifth toe.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service acoustic trauma. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of right ear hearing loss, but has a current disability of left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address the etiology of his current conditions, as well as consideration of lay statements regarding the onset of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disability that is related to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service and is not due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to active service and the Board has found that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and migraine headaches, both found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The effective date of non-hodgkins lymphoma/mycosis fungoids remains at March 20, 2012, as requested by the Veteran in his notice of disagreement. The TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's tinnitus and his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus in the right ear is service-connected. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a neck injury are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Pittsburgh VAMC and Orlando VAMC. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his representative prior to any decision being made by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not related to his military service.