Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scarring of the left inner thigh is denied. His claim for tinea cruris, status post staphylococcus aureus infection, and its associated groin scarring are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. However, hypertension was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to active service, and therefore denied. Service connection for tendonitis of both elbows could not be established due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions, and the Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. With application of the doctrine of reasonable doubt, the Board finds that there is at least a 50% likelihood that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure during his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service and that the pre-existing conditions did not worsen. The Board also found that the current hearing loss in the right ear is not related to service exposure.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development due to failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and tinnitus are not service-connected, as they were not caused or aggravated by his active duty service nor any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least in equipoise with his claim of having experienced symptoms during active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and there was no evidence of such disabilities during service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no credible evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disabilities during service. The only competent opinion against the claims was provided by a VA audiologist who opined that it is not as likely as not that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has found reasonable doubt in favor of service connection for tinnitus, but the Veteran's hearing loss is not currently considered a disability under VA criteria. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine if there is any relationship between his current hearing loss and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, including acoustic trauma incurred as a result of serving as a jet mechanic on the flight line for four years. The Veteran's lay assertions regarding continuity of symptomatology were considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, suppurative otitis media, tinnitus, and vertigo) do not render him unemployable as his combined disability rating is only 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he contends are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and a higher evaluation for tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claims for service connection were denied.