Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise trauma in service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service, including noise exposure. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and determination regarding the provision of additional payment for woodworking tools under a Department of Veterans Affairs independent living services program.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination reports and conflicting information regarding the Veteran's desire for a hearing. The initial disability rating claim remains in appellate status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are related to his military service, with the VA examiner providing a detailed rationale for this conclusion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Denver, Colorado RO for a videoconference hearing at the Cheyenne, Wyoming RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no credible evidence showing these conditions began during or were otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and asthma) render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, which meet the statutory threshold under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, and his active duty service. The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss were not adjudicated as they are separate issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with a presumption of noise exposure. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining employment records and psychiatric treatment records. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being evaluated to determine if they are related to service, specifically noise exposure and head injuries. A VA examination is also needed to assess whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a current psychiatric disorder, particularly PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining service personnel records to determine if the Veteran served as a Fire Control Technician Gunnery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for an opinion regarding whether his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to service, specifically noise exposure. The claims will be returned after further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, both individually and as a whole, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The remaining claims of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation benefits are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including significant noise exposure during his various occupational specialties.

The Board has determined that the VA audiological examinations are inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claims and additional examination is needed. The Veteran served in Vietnam and had a military occupational specialty as a flight equipment man, which likely exposed him to noise during service.