Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the issues of an increased rating for the right knee disability and entitlement to a TDIU due to noncompliance with remand directives. The remaining claims have been addressed, but no SOC has been issued.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot fungus, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings and requests for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical examinations and providing an opinion on the etiology of his tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have originated during service and the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent since November 30, 2009, for hypertension with hypertensive retinopathy is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, and upper and lower back disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to May 14, 2009 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a torn rotator cuff of the left shoulder. The Veteran's CAD is rated at 30 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as his first communication to VA was on May 15, 2013.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining STRs and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise during combat operations. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to service, with the evidence being in equipoise on this issue. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and post-service medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete medical history and a need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to November 3, 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to service and/or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder and remanded it to allow for further development. The claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are also being remanded.