Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity and impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The case will be readjudicated after these examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an adequate VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding development of evidence and potential substitution of the appellant for the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain an addendum VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, taking into consideration his complete history of noise exposure.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches, vertigo/dizziness, and tinnitus have been rated based on their specific manifestations. The appeal for increased ratings is denied as the current evaluations adequately reflect his impairment.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum rating authorized for tinnitus under Diagnostic Code 6260. Prior to October 3, 2012, the Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and tinnitus, as new evidence received since the final May 2009 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,However, the Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to grant either claim on the merits.

The Veteran died from a head injury sustained as a result of a fall, with contributing causes of hypertensive cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. The cause of death is unrelated to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostate cancer residuals, needs further examination as the current VA examiner's opinion was internally inconsistent.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus first manifested during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not related to his active service and the Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, a pulmonary condition, gout, degenerative arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and metabolic syndrome. The Board also found that there is no evidence of chemical exposure or TCE exposure to support these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and the Board finds that service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not found to be related to service, but he is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. His combined disability rating meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and to attempt to obtain relevant treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further examination.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were received on June 21, 2010. The effective date cannot be earlier than this date as the criteria do not meet the conditions for an earlier effective date.

The Board finds that the issues of whether severance of service connection for PTSD was proper, and entitlement to service connection for various disabilities are currently before it as they are inextricably intertwined with the appellate issues of the effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD and the initial rating assigned for PTSD. The Veteran's period of honorable active service has already been finally adjudicated.