Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to missing personnel records and a need for additional audiometric evaluations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

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 military service. Service connection for heat stroke due to Gulf War illness is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for refractive error of the eyes, right and left knee disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and macular hole of the right eye are also denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C, low back disability, peripheral neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that new evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for hepatitis C, and that there was no credible evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or current disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a chronic disability involving the cervical spine. The evidence did not support an in-service onset of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, both of which are related to service. The Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss was not aggravated during service, but his current left ear hearing loss is considered disabling under VA criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria for a hearing loss or tinnitus condition. The Veteran did not report to scheduled examinations, resulting in denial based on failure to report.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA medical records and an inadequate November 2014 VA examination. The Veteran needs further audiometric testing, a comprehensive VA examination, and consideration of all available evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, migraine headaches, and primary insomnia have been granted. The right leg and left knee disability claims are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, a right ankle disability, hemorrhoids, and a psychiatric disability remain pending.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and denied service connection for ear syndrome (Meniere's disease). The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of in-service noise exposure leading to current bilateral tinnitus, but did not address the issue of Meniere's disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to his service, specifically noise exposure during his time in the Navy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his acoustic trauma sustained during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, resolving all doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service. The current conditions are considered to be due to a combination of noise exposure and age.