Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right great toenail removal, or tinnitus for VA purposes. The preponderance of evidence is against service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service exposure to noise from marine diesel engines, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset during service and the Board finds that it was incurred in active military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The VA examination found that the current disabilities are less likely than not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus, as it originated during his period of active service and is presumed due to noise exposure. Service connection for left ear hearing loss was not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, diabetes mellitus to include pseudophakia, tinnitus, and residual scar of the right ear) are rated at a combined 80 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

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's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise from aircraft on the flight line. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that there is a state of equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, and therefore grants both claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing and his disagreement with the denial of service connection for a left elbow disability. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are addressed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since August 26, 1996.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, lymphoma, and ischemic heart disease, were denied as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus as defined by VA regulations, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and lumbar strain are found to be related to service, while the claim for missing tooth number 19 is denied as it was replaceable.

The Veteran's service records show that he served in Vietnam from November 1968 to October 1969. The Veteran has an adjustment disorder related to his period of active service, which the Board finds was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acid reflux must be remanded due to additional development being required. The lung condition claim is reopened but remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his cause of death, which was due to a fall from a safe. The Board found the medical evidence insufficient to establish that any of the Veteran's service-connected conditions were the principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his death.