Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the authenticity of a January 2007 audio progress note and to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders including PTSD and depression are found to be at least in part caused or aggravated by events in service in Southwest Asia.,Left ear hearing loss is found to have preexisted periods of active duty but underwent an increase in level of disability during active service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected anxiety disorder did not cause or materially contribute to his death. The claims for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 and 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not related to service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his military service. The VA examinations and other evidence do not support a finding of in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left elbow disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus was assigned a 10% rating, and the reduction of his lung cancer from 100% to 0% effective February 1, 2009, to July 29, 2009, was found improper. The 100% evaluation for lung cancer is restored.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for a pulmonary disorder, including asthma and COPD. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to in-service respiratory problems.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service. The heart condition is not found to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between current symptoms and military service. The VA audiologist concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were more likely due to presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) and post-service occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety/adjustment disorder and assigned an initial 50 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The effective dates for these grants are January 22, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for scarring on the lungs and purified protein derivative conversion status post prophylactic treatment with inhalation have been withdrawn. The Veteran has current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of in-service noise exposure, which are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities originated during his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his active military service, including exposure to loud radio noise. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his period of service, including any in-service noise exposure.,The VA examiner concluded that there was no evidence of acoustic trauma shown in the service treatment records that would cause the Veteran's tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, anxiety disorder, depression, lung disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as his combined disability rating is less than 60% prior to May 1, 2014, and does not exceed 40% after that date.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to his active duty service.