Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no current evidence of the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the statutory presumption of soundness on enlistment had been rebutted by clear and unmistakable evidence in both cases.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 30 percent from August 13, 2004 to May 9, 2007 and elevated to 50 percent effective May 10, 2007. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset in active service and is not otherwise shown to be related to his service or a service-connected condition. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records and the Veteran's complete personnel file are needed to properly adjudicate his service connection claims for bilateral flat feet, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a cervical spine injury, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as their relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service records and a need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service exposure to noise, specifically from the 5-inch-58 ship guns and rifle fire during training. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and to reopen his claim for recurrent dislocations of the left shoulder. The decision also noted that he had already been granted service connection for the left shoulder sprain in 1948.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and they are not etiologically related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA audiologist or otolaryngologist's review and medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to military noise exposure. The pre-existing left ear hearing loss disability at entry into service is considered a factor against granting service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claims. The decision also addressed other issues such as evaluations for various disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his service dates and obtain relevant medical records.