Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical examination and development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling him for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, and residuals of hernia removal.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during her period of service and is granted service connection. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for a skin disability remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the back and neck, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and carpal tunnel syndrome are all related to his active military service. The evidence shows he was exposed to noise in service which led to his current hearing loss and tinnitus. His orthopedic conditions are also linked to his years of service due to repetitive motion injuries.

The VA Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset during service or due to in-service noise exposure, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is manifested by an exceptional pattern of hearing loss in the left ear resulting in a Roman Numeral VIII, while his right ear hearing loss resulted in a Roman Number IV at worst.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral tinnitus did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and is unrelated to service. The claim for entitlement to service connection for bilateral tinnitus was denied.

The Board has ordered a new VA medical examination to determine the etiology of any bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disorders, as the previous opinions were inadequate. The Veteran's service treatment records note left ear hearing loss at his pre-induction examination and induction examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have its onset during active service and is considered a result of disease or injury incurred in service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, but his hearing loss remains in dispute. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss disability and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, a VA examination, and further development of the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in either ear and his tinnitus was sustained during service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a present disability. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the issues of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus can be properly adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The case is REMANDED to obtain an addendum medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current bilateral hearing loss, as well as his tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. Headaches are found to be related to active service exposure. Bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to acoustic trauma during active service. Tinnitus is found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board finds that the criteria for service connection for tinnitus, as secondary to the service-connected bilateral hearing loss, have been met.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus manifested as a result of noise exposure during his military service, warranting service connection. However, there is no evidence of hearing loss for VA purposes.