Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing and his disagreement with the denial of service connection for a left elbow disability. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are addressed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since August 26, 1996.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, lymphoma, and ischemic heart disease, were denied as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus as defined by VA regulations, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and lumbar strain are found to be related to service, while the claim for missing tooth number 19 is denied as it was replaceable.

The Veteran's service records show that he served in Vietnam from November 1968 to October 1969. The Veteran has an adjustment disorder related to his period of active service, which the Board finds was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acid reflux must be remanded due to additional development being required. The lung condition claim is reopened but remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his cause of death, which was due to a fall from a safe. The Board found the medical evidence insufficient to establish that any of the Veteran's service-connected conditions were the principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 24, 2006. The combined service-connected disability rating was only 60 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the impact of his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and degenerative disc disease (DDD), herniated discs L5-S1, status post L4, L5, L5-S1 anterior discectomy and vertebral body fusion, acquired spinal stenosis, and intervertebral disc disease. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for reopening his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to provide her with a VA examination. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board finds the evidence is in equipoise regarding the relationship between the Veteran's tinnitus and his military service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder and depression. The Veteran's respiratory disorder is also found to be related to his military service. However, the claim for tinnitus remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The evidence did not show a current disability in any of these conditions for VA purposes or that they were incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely due to noise exposure during his military service, including while serving in the Navy and National Guard. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.