Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board found no increase in the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection. The Veteran's tinnitus was also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions did not manifest until decades after his separation from service and are not related to service, including in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination report, and a new opinion is required from the November 2013 VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Lyme disease and its residuals, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, memory loss, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, headaches, cognitive impairment, dizziness and poor balance, tinnitus, heart disorder, splenomegaly, diffuse myelitis, organic disease of the nervous system (to include chronic pain), and radial neuropathies of the feet and hands were denied as these conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, while the hernia claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, and his hepatitis C claim is remanded for additional development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has decided to remand the claims due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder associated with tinnitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection effective April 1, 2008. The initial ratings for these conditions are assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so severe as to prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and noise exposure during service. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to noise exposure sustained in active service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all pending appeals before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the evidence being at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were caused by noise exposure during his military service.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and extent of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and right foot hallux valgus deformity with status post bunionectomy. The VA will obtain his complete service treatment records, conduct audiometric testing, and schedule him for a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred during his active military service due to exposure to loud noises, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The decision on congestive heart failure is pending as it requires a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and hyperacusis have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA rating criteria, with no further increase in evaluation warranted.