Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service records do not show any injury to the right knee during his military service. A cyst was found in October 2006, over a year after separation from active duty.,There is no indication of tinnitus in the Veteran's service records. The first mention of tinnitus is in February 1989 STRs.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his acoustic trauma in service.

The Board has determined that a VA audiological examination and opinion are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current evidence is inadequate for decision-making.

The Veteran's tinnitus was caused by his active service, to include noise exposure therein. The Board has granted the claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that there is no competent, credible, or probative evidence establishing a medical nexus between the Veteran's tinnitus and his service. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), as well as any associated service treatment records. The VA will also schedule examinations to assess the current status of his claimed conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes, and lower intestinal disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending as it relates to a separate issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and the collective evidence suggests that his service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between current symptoms and active duty. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his military service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left ear sensorineural hearing loss did not increase in severity during active service, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as he did not have a current disability that meets the regulatory requirements to constitute a disability for VA compensation purposes. The Board found that his tinnitus claim must be remanded due to insufficient evidence of nexus between in-service noise exposure and current symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus, finding no evidence of intent to apply for these benefits prior to October 17, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and right shoulder osteoarthritis are still pending and require additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran was exposed to noise during his military service, which is presumed to have caused or aggravated his current hearing conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and related incontinence residuals have effectively resulted in loss of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is entitled to specially adapted housing.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or to a compensable degree within one year after discharge, and thus could not be presumed. The VA audiologist concluded that the current hearing loss is more likely due to occupational noise exposure and presbyacusis, while Mr. Lind opined it was at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. For tinnitus, there was no service connection found.

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