Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disorder, hearing loss disability (both ears), tinnitus, and calcaneal spurs are denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral calcaneal spurs. The Veteran asserts that symptoms of the condition began during service in 2010 while deployed to Africa.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no diagnosis of tinnitus in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus manifested within a year of separation from service and is therefore presumed to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within a year after discharge. However, the Veteran's testimony regarding the onset of his tinnitus during service supports a finding that it is related to active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and are not otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted, but the issue of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus remains denied.,Service connection has been established for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The low back disability is considered direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence. The claims will be reconsidered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues regarding an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU. The Board finds that further development is necessary, including a neuropsychological examination to determine the relationship between the Veteran's cognitive disorder and his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus are related to his service. The criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus originated during active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI and related conditions are service-connected, with no effective date provided as the decision is still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions. The case is returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it was caused by in-service noise exposure. The claim for tinnitus remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for dizziness. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for other conditions are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after all development has been completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in her favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to noise during active duty.

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

The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and continued since service. The Board resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for tinnitus.