Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss and granted service connection. The Veteran also has been awarded service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus originated during his active service and is therefore granted as a result of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his service and these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the extent and etiology of COPD, and an opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are PTSD, dysthymia, migraine headaches, bilateral metatarsalgia with callosities, and tinnitus.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the latter being attributed to post-service occupational noise exposure. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus was related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining National Guard and Reserve service records.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a dental condition. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his cerebellar ataxia with left extremity tremor is related to ionizing radiation exposure during service. The claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral hip disorder, femur disorder, monoclonal gammapathy, balance disorder and diabetes mellitus are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically acoustic trauma during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and additional development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is attributable to acoustic trauma during active service and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence linking his current tinnitus to service, and thus service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service, and the VA examiner found no link between his current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with the exception of his tinnitus which is presumed due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus and for a 20 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The RO granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss in January 2005, with a noncompensable rating effective from September 14, 2004. He filed an increased rating claim on June 18, 2008, and was assigned a 20 percent evaluation effective the same day.