Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current level of severity of the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as a need for an updated VA examination. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are also pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during his time as an aviation mechanic. However, there is no evidence of left ear hearing loss in service or for many years after service, thus denying service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have resulted from his in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing test results at enlistment and separation, and no complaints or treatment for these conditions during service. The VA examiner concluded that the disabilities more likely than not resulted from occupational noise exposure post-service.

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. After review of the evidence, including a private audiologist's opinion, the Board finds that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for initial development and adjudication of his claim regarding CUE in a December 1986 rating decision, which denied service connection for hearing loss. The earlier effective date claims for tinnitus and hearing loss are also being reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion provided are inadequate, necessitating a remand to obtain another VA examination with a different examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to August 31, 2010. From that date onward, the criteria were met.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss did not worsen during service and there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and attempting to obtain service treatment records from the Saigon military hospital. The Veteran is also advised that he may need to provide evidence linking his lumbar spine disability to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently assigned a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to have its onset in service or be otherwise related to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to afford the Veteran full consideration of his claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, knee disabilities, and ankle disabilities. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective May 6, 2009. The Board finds that the earlier effective date requested is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset in service and is not causally related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to in-service noise exposure, and thus grants the claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including in-service noise exposure. Service connection is granted for both conditions.