Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus can be decided.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and thus denied the Appellant's claim for DIC benefits. The case is now remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current ear problems (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) and organic brain disease were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after separation from active duty. The VA examination did not support a link between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and noise exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, heart disease, residuals of a stroke, and lumbar spine disability are not supported by competent evidence. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding an in-service injury or event that would support these claims.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for cervical spondylosis was denied. Service connection for low back, right shoulder, and eye disorders were also denied. Tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were not related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and an inadequate VA examination.

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

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The May 2008 VA examination found moderate sloping to profound bilateral hearing loss, but concluded that these disabilities were less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining his service personnel records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of his claimed conditions. The claims will also be considered under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 for Persian Gulf War service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased evaluation or service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unemployable, meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with no specific reasoning provided.

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

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's current conditions are not service-connected.

The Board finds that it is as likely as not the Veteran suffered acoustic trauma in service, leading to his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Therefore, the claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation and other relevant factors, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting further examinations. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sleep disorder, migraine headaches, curvature of the spine, and tinnitus are granted as secondary to his service-connected temporomandibular joint dysfunction.