Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The issues are intertwined as a decision on one could impact another.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a right foot disability (claimed as a broken right foot) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension are denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, heart condition, and sleep condition are denied as there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's death was caused by his underlying conditions, including hypertension and peripheral vascular disease. The service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed. Service connection is granted for Dupuytren’s Contracture, bilateral knee chondromalacia patella, and tinnitus. The claim for deviated nasal septum, rhinitis, and sinusitis is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied both claims as there is no evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss or tinnitus and military service.

The Veteran's mitral valve prolapse with palpitations has been granted an initial 10 percent rating. The issues of service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD due to military sexual trauma have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 25, 2011.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but remanded the issue of service connection for squamous cell supraglottic larynx carcinoma (claimed as throat cancer) associated with herbicide exposure.,Service connection for enlarged prostate was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, tinnitus received a 10 percent rating, and PTSD remained at the 50 percent level.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and service, including noise exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disability, and a bilateral wrist disability. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations in order to determine if her conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the condition began during service and has persisted since then.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the case is remanded for a new VA audiological examination to determine the cause of bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD as a progression of anxiety disorder NOS is granted with a disability rating of 70 percent effective January 24, 2011.,Other conditions such as headaches and tinnitus have been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate efforts in scheduling VA examinations, particularly when he was incarcerated. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination at his prison or another suitable location.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. Service connection will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and has reopened his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The issue of remanding for further development regarding the low back disability is noted.