Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus has been remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The reopened claim is now before the RO or AMC for further adjudication.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected as it is related to his in-service noise exposure during combat.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active duty service, including exposure to noise during combat.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, as there was no evidence of a permanent threshold shift in either ear at discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are associated with his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and back disability did not have onset during service or are otherwise related to military service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus at his separation examination. The current conditions are more likely due to occupational noise exposure and/or the natural aging process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left eye disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ, effective from November 17, 2008. The earlier effective date is granted as the report of contact in November 2008 can be construed as an informal claim.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset in service or within one year of service, and were not caused by or otherwise related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, it denied these claims on their merits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active duty service. However, there is no evidence linking the Veteran's tinnitus to his period of service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand has been reopened and granted. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current disability, as indicated by medical records showing carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board also found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his period of service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination to assess the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus, including consideration of continuity of symptomatology since the mid-to-late 1970s.