Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and records from SSA. The Veteran will also be provided with VA medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, a bilateral knee disability, and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine scoliosis is considered a developmental disease for VA purposes; it manifested in service and is etiologically related to service.

The March 1993 rating decision denying service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is found to have committed clear and unmistakable error. The Veteran was entitled to a grant of service connection for these conditions, which would have been granted from at least the 10 year period prior to his death in July 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are caused by or the result of in-service acoustic trauma. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had onset during active service and has continued since then, granting service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, specifically the acoustic trauma he experienced while serving in active duty. As a result, the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his service, including as due to in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are less likely than not related to service.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise and resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded to obtain a VA audiological evaluation, as well as any relevant treatment records. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond to the SSOC.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no direct or secondary service connection based on evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling, has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability. The claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and lichen planus chronicus are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted as the currently demonstrated tinnitus was caused by in-service exposure to excessive and harmful noise in connection with his duties.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's ringing in his ears began during service and continues to this day. Service connection was denied for residuals of pneumonia.

The Board found no evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection, concluding that his current conditions are not related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, including a request to reopen the June 1997 denial, is granted with an effective date of November 20, 1996.