Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus and thus denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus and finds that new evidence submitted by the Veteran raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The evidence shows that the Veteran reported experiencing constant tinnitus since 1969, which he attributes to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA medical records, SSA records related to SSI benefits, and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely the result of his noise exposure in service or associated with his service-connected noise-induced bilateral hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year after separation. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and his lack of communication with the RO/AMC.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of shrapnel wounds to the right arm and right leg, hearing loss, and tinnitus as these conditions are considered direct service connections due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's testimony regarding continuity of symptoms since service is given significant weight.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to active service, while diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not initially manifested within one year of his release from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a VA audiologic examination to determine if the Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss was aggravated by service and whether left ear hearing loss and/or tinnitus are directly related to service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an audiological examination for the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for multiple myeloma has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, which constitutes a complete grant of the benefits sought on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for PTSD have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The claim for a back disorder has been reopened, but the evidence does not support service connection. Bilateral hearing loss is denied, while tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in the military, resulting in service connection being granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a relationship between these conditions and his noise exposure during active duty. The Board then granted service connection based on direct service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's testimony, VA outpatient treatment reports, a private physician's letter, and a VA examination all support his claim that he experienced these conditions during active service due to noise exposure. As such, the Board finds that the Veteran's claims are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for residuals of a fractured left scapula and a left ankle sprain, but denied his appeals for increased ratings for Bell's palsy, tinnitus, hearing loss, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding Bell's palsy and tinnitus in April 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for complete VA medical records, including audiometry findings from April 2008 to present.