Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is associated with his service-connected hearing loss and has been granted as secondary to this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, as his hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service. The low back disability is also not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum from a VA audiologist regarding the cause of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not incurred due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's additional anxiety, depression, headache, and tinnitus disabilities are not service-connected under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA fault.

The Veteran's death was not caused or contributed substantially or materially by his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease related to herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for visual problems, tinnitus, neck disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, with the hearing loss being related to in-service noise exposure. The claim for tinnitus was also granted based on service connection. However, his PTSD and prostate cancer disability ratings remain unchanged.

The Veteran's left eye corneal scar was granted service connection. The issues of hypertension, bilateral leg disability and tinnitus have been withdrawn from appeal. The Veteran's eczema claim has been granted with an initial rating greater than 30% since September 22, 2009. The issue of a bilateral eye disability other than the left corneal scar remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service. The decision also notes conflicting opinions of VA audiologists but affirms the positive nexus opinion from a private audiologist.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for PTSD. The effective dates were not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence showing in-service acoustic trauma or chronic symptoms within one year post-service. The VA examiner diagnosed bilateral hearing loss but not tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain relevant VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, and low back disorder are found to be related to service. However, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral shin splints or hypertension.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and unavailability of medical records from his incarceration. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection and evaluations for various conditions, including tinnitus, diverticular disease, PTSD, COPD with sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease.