Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the current conditions and active service.

The veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his active duty service.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support an earlier date than January 13, 2006.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was remanded for further development, including the provision of a VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's acoustic trauma from aircraft noise exposure during periods of active duty and inactive duty training was at least as likely as not incurred in the line of duty.

The Board must remand the case to obtain a medical opinion that properly considers the veteran's lay statements regarding the onset of his hearing loss and tinnitus during service.

The Board finds sufficient evidence to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The de novo issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as well as the claim for service connection for tinnitus, is being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability and no medical evidence linking any current symptoms to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation. Right ear hearing loss was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, a colon disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to the veteran's active duty service.

The veteran's PTSD was granted an increased initial rating of 70 percent, effective June 29, 2006, and the Board found that since July 21, 2008, his PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis as not being incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The veteran's major depressive disorder was found to be manifested by no more than impairment of short-term memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board finds that the veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is more likely than not attributable to his in-service noise exposure during military service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and hepatitis C due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a total disability rating beginning October 1, 2003, but not earlier. The claim for an effective date prior to February 11, 2003, for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD was denied.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD, L5-S1 spondylosis and spondylolisthesis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied increased ratings or service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a broken jaw, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for the broken jaw, and there is no indication that any current diagnoses are related to service.

The Board finds that service connection is warranted for tinnitus based on the veteran's acoustic trauma during his period of National Guard/Reserve service.