Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were less likely than not caused by his military service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiners concluded that the disabilities were more likely related to occupational noise exposure post-service.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date prior to December 24, 2002 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The Board has determined that a statement of the case must be issued for this claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private medical facility on July 12-13, 2005 due to lack of evidence showing an ongoing emergency and because VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical examinations in prior decisions.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a service-connected scoliosis of the thoracic spine, a psychiatric disorder including depression, or residuals of a xiphoidectomy. The low back disability, neck disability, respiratory disorder, headache disorder, and bilateral shoulder disability are also denied as not being related to her active service. Tinnitus is also denied.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss. The issue of service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to a timely Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if any current respiratory disability is related to service and whether any tinnitus or left ear hearing loss is related to service. The Veteran's claims of service connection are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not related to service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and a bilateral foot disorder was remanded by the Court. The case is now being returned to the Board due to his appeal of the increased rating for left shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative joint disease of the acromioclavicular joint, status post acromioplasty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-operative residuals of prostate cancer is granted, with an effective date from August 14, 2008. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia are all denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have tinnitus attributable to active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, so a higher rating cannot be granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus and back disability are both found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right, below-the-elbow amputation and bilateral hearing loss, render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted an increased rate of SMC based on this need.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The RO has denied the claim, but it is being remanded for further development including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not occur in service and is not related to any disease or injury incurred in service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.