Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is a link between his current tinnitus and in-service noise exposure. The appeal was reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For tinnitus, the Veteran's testimony regarding in-service noise exposure was not supported by medical records or audiometric test results, leading to denial of service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined whether they are well-grounded. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion from a VA otologist regarding the nature and etiology of his mixed hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's recurrent bilateral tinnitus is found to have had its clinical onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service. The preponderance of the evidence supported the denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin in service or within one year of separation from active duty, and are not related to his military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left ear tinnitus are related to his military service, while right ear hearing loss is not. The claim for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or injury. The VA examiner concluded that the disabilities were more likely due to civilian occupational noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for recurrent tinnitus is granted as the Board finds that his current condition is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and shell fragment wounds to the back and right shoulder, did not render him unemployable prior to August 12, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. The evidence showed no chronicity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, skin spots, and bilateral foot fungus are all granted. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence supports these claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to his military service, including acoustic trauma and otitis media or claimed 'cat fever' occurring therein. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to obtain any relevant treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurrent tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that further efforts are needed to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The VA examination reports do not address whether the Veteran incurred or aggravated tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss during his National Guard service. Therefore, the case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his mood disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, left sided leg weakness, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to perform activities of daily living without regular aid and attendance from another person. His need for such assistance is due to his severe lower extremity weakness caused by his service-connected degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, headaches, and a right foot disability were granted with effective dates of November 1, 2006. The appeal is dismissed as the issues are moot.