Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no evidence linking his current hearing loss to service. The claim for tinnitus was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not have a direct relationship to his military service, as there is no evidence of worsening during service or a clear etiology for these conditions. The Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was found not to be aggravated by service, and his tinnitus did not manifest during active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board grants both claims as the medical evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in relative balance as to whether these conditions are etiologically related to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no credible evidence of such in-service. The VA examinations provided opinions indicating these conditions are more likely related to post-service factors.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an additional VA examination regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as the previous opinion was inadequate. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as she failed to report to VA examinations and her claimed conditions are not shown to be related to her military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, meet the percentage requirements for TDIU as they stem from a common etiology. The Board finds that these conditions render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and an increased evaluation for tinnitus were denied. The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, and his tinnitus is already at the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are related to his military service. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection for this condition is granted. The other claims of service connection are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them during his hearing.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as incurred in service. The issues of left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of May 19, 2008. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date provided by law is May 19, 2008, and denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for a 10% rating for tinnitus was denied as the effective date could not be earlier than November 27, 2005 due to filing over one year after the liberalizing laws at issue (March 1976 and June 1999).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and calluses of the left foot. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The earliest diagnosis of these conditions was 65 years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.