Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA hospital due to an emergency visit in 2006 was denied because he did not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations, specifically failing to have received medical services within the 24-month period preceding the treatment.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not start during service and is not otherwise related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before the Board. The case will be scheduled for a Travel Board hearing at the RO level.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is not yet decided.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be as likely as not related to his active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to loud noise, including from heavy naval guns and machine guns. The criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to inadequate examination and lack of compliance with prior remand instructions. The appellant is required to provide information about her husband's work and educational history, as well as an additional VA medical opinion regarding his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's VA compensation payments were properly discontinued during the period from August 15, 2001, to May 11, 2007, while he received active service pay. The appeal is denied as a matter of law.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is likely due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have manifested during service and is therefore granted service connection. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or skin basal cell carcinoma of the forehead. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disability claims. The RO must ensure all relevant records are associated with the case file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities and finds no in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions. As a result, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for tinnitus and an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure to loud noises during active duty, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee disorders. The claim of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia, secondary to a psychiatric disorder, is also denied.

The Board has determined that there is a need to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with an opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be remanded for these actions.