Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including benign tumors of the colon, migraines, hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy, psychiatric disorders, and vascular diseases. The appeal was reopened on new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining specific dates of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and reviewing medical records from this period. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already receiving the maximum rating of 10 percent, and a separate rating for each ear is not warranted under current regulations.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as these conditions are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, but his respiratory disorder (claimed as residuals of asbestos exposure) is related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine if his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to service. The reopened claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and clarification of medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential noise exposure during service. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if he currently has hearing loss disability, which may be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and any relevant SSA and private medical records. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service injuries will be considered, along with current diagnoses of his low back, right foot, and tinnitus conditions. Medical opinions will be sought to determine if there is a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to a low back disability, and for bilateral hearing loss are denied. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is pending due to the need for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to acoustic trauma experienced during his period of service, and the Board finds that it is due to a disease or injury incurred in active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability and that his left ear hearing loss was present prior to service. The VA examiner opined that the preexisting left ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and is not related to service. For tinnitus, the VA examiner also opined that it is not related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to in-service acoustic trauma, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by the lack of in-service complaints or diagnoses and normal audiometric results during service. The current conditions are more likely due to post-service noise exposure and other factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's pes planus, back disorder, major depression, hearing loss, and tinnitus were not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is manifested by recurrent bilateral ringing in the ears. The Board finds that a higher initial rating for tinnitus is not warranted.