Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of his request to reopen a claim for service connection for a wrenched left knee. The denial was based on lack of evidence showing a nexus between current left knee disorder and service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on January 23, 2011, were not for a medical emergency of such nature that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to his health. VA facilities were feasibly available at the time and he did not seek preauthorization from VA.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since June 3, 2004. His tinnitus is service-connected and rated as secondary to his hypothyroidism. The Veteran's bronchitis is not compensable but warrants a rating of 100%. Other conditions are either not shown or do not warrant increased ratings.

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, tinnitus as a residual of TBI, and headaches with light sensitivity as a residual of TBI. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his in-service head injuries.

The Board has decided that the VA audiology examination is inadequate and requires a new opinion on whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and tinnitus, which arose from combat action in Vietnam, meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as of January 14, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and thus could not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss was less likely than not related to noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within one year post-service. The current disabilities are more likely due to natural aging (presbycusis).

The Board has remanded the appeal due to a lack of evidence and requests for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are still pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after separation. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to his military service, and thus grants the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss requires additional development as the VA treatment records have not been obtained and there are discrepancies regarding post-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The skin disability and low back disability are both found to be at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's death from lung cancer and COPD was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, nor were they attributable to his active military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun in service and has persisted since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is a result of his military service and has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was addressed in the remand portion and is being returned to the AOJ.