Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, with resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have chronic symptoms of hearing loss in service or continuous symptoms after service separation. The evidence did not establish a nexus between current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is now substantiated by new evidence showing that his tinnitus began in service and persists, while the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus, and his claim is currently pending. The Board has referred the issue to the RO for consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a previous denial of service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's reports of in-service noise exposure are consistent with his service, and the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether both disorders are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service separation, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a nexus between the current disabilities and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral pes planus are service-connected due to aggravation of pre-existing conditions during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not originate during service, were not shown to be related to in-service noise exposure, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be as likely as not caused by in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are rated appropriately at their maximum schedular ratings, thus denying any higher initial ratings.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to address whether the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are delayed responses to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but granted service connection for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure.

The combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling new examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected status post basal skull fracture is not manifested by skull loss without brain hernia.,The Veteran does not have a current heart disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of acoustic trauma or noise exposure during service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's tinnitus was due to his existing hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD symptoms and their impact on his ability to work.