Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for ADHD and PTSD with depression, anxiety, and restless leg syndrome. The higher initial ratings for PTSD and tinnitus are also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and extent of the Veteran's combat service, as well as any relationship between his current hearing loss and tinnitus and his active service. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted the service connection claim for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, now diagnosed as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the underlying claims can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, acquired psychiatric disability (insomnia and depression), numbness of bilateral upper arms, headaches, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine prior to August 20, 2009 and after October 31, 2009 are denied.

The Veteran's death on November 22, 2013 was due to atherosclerotic heart disease with hypertension. The appellant did not seek prior authorization from VA for the non-transport emergency services provided at his home. Therefore, reimbursement is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to hazardous noise exposure during combat in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to address the credibility of his lay statements regarding the onset of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the reliability of the whisper voice test conducted during service. The claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and is granting secondary service connection for hypertension due to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and ischemic heart disease, both presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The effective dates are set based on the earliest date of claim and the date entitlement arose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or during the presumption period. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy affecting the right and left upper extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability at any point pertinent to this appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is at least as likely as not due to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate opinion on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be the result of in-service noise exposure, which meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's application for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied because his history of colon cancer, which is not considered a service-connected condition, precludes him from being in 'good health' as defined by VA standards.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current examination did not consider all relevant evidence or provide sufficient rationale for its opinion.