Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The RO denied service connection on the grounds that there was no clinical diagnosis of these conditions during service, and the current diagnoses were not related to noise exposure in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus did not begin during his military service and is less likely related to noise exposure in service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's tinnitus was more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not show a chronic condition during service or within one year of discharge from service, nor is there any competent medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as they likely pre-existed service. The appeal is denied.

The Board has denied all issues on appeal except the claim for a higher initial evaluation for tinnitus, which is addressed in the decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected back injury and for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has not decided whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions may be related to service-connected labyrinthitis or Meniere's disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous examination reports and a need for further development, including an opinion on whether hearing loss or tinnitus are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to his service, with exposure to noise from aircraft. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied on the merits. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for amputation of toes of the right foot was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss or tinnitus, as well as any psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression.

The appellant's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is assigned a maximum disability rating of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for the assignment of separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear.