Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were of such severity that they precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to June 29, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to his military service, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.

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

The Veteran's appeal to receive special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation as of December 13, 2000, the date his back disability met the criteria for a 40 percent rating. The effective date is set at December 13, 2000.

The claims of service connection for otitis media, tinnitus secondary to otitis media, and vertigo secondary to otitis media are being remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to a failure to obtain Army Reserve medical records from 1970-1973. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

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

The Board has found that the Veteran's in-service exposure to significant acoustic trauma as a result of his active combat service in Vietnam is conceded. The Veteran contends that he incurred bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus during active service, but the VA examiner opined that there was no evidence of current disability due to bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus related to active service. The Board finds the July 2008 VA examination inadequate for purposes of adjudication.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service or within one year after separation. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and readjudicating both issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus require additional development due to incomplete findings during a June 2008 audiology examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his service, meeting the requirements for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss or bilateral tinnitus, as there is no evidence of a current disability during active duty and no medical nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, PTSD, bronchitis, right knee disability, left knee disability, or bilateral plantar fasciitis that had its onset during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not develop during his first period of service and is not related to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's tinnitus, however, is as likely as not related to his active duty.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete verification of his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.