Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with the symptoms being continuous since separation from service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The claims are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, and low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability, and her left ankle disability is less likely than not related to service. The tinnitus was found to be at least as likely as not associated with hearing loss during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year post-service, and are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not timely file a notice of disagreement with the December 2006 rating decision denying service connection for tinnitus, and thus denied the appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The criteria for service connection are met, with tinnitus originating during active service and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss also originating during active service.

Service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of September 22, 2011. Service connection for major depressive disorder was also granted with the same effective date.

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 Veteran's tinnitus was found to be caused by in-service exposure to excessive and harmful noise, resulting in a grant of service connection for tinnitus. The issue regarding PTSD remains pending as the Veteran has not participated in an examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and granted it, finding that new and material evidence supports a reopening of the claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his military service. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is referred back to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the right ear hearing loss claim due to lack of evidence. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is considered a direct result of in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus have been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Veteran currently suffers from bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that are related to active duty service. An effective date prior to January 12, 2006, is granted for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine spondylolysis with degenerative disc disease and radiating pain to the right buttock/hip.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The case is REMANDED to comply with the December 2014 Board Remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case will be returned for additional development and adjudication.

The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome, residual of left tibia fracture, was granted a disability rating of 20 percent. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service exposure to noise, and the claims for these conditions are granted.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while obesity is not a disability for which service connection may be granted.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The TDIU claim will be remanded as it requires assignment of disability ratings first.