Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 12, 2013 for service connection of his claimed disabilities due to lack of evidence showing he filed any VA benefits claim within a year of his military discharge.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are granted service connection, while his left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for bilateral tinnitus is established due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is also established based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, and the gunshot wound residuals are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address the current nature, symptoms, and severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship with service. The Veteran's VA examinations did not provide sufficient information on the etiology of his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of VA examination records and incomplete medical history. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant records, including from the Veteran’s correctional facility, schedule appropriate examinations, and attempt to coordinate with the Veteran's correctional facility for a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus of the left ear. Service connection is denied for insomnia, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, and pruritus ani.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records are unclear and incomplete, particularly regarding his specific dates of service. The claims for hip pain, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee arthralgia with limited flexion are being remanded to obtain clarification on these issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. The Veteran's varicose veins claim is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service, with continuity of symptoms found lacking.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to noise during service and persistence of symptoms since separation meet the criteria for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for migraines, finding that the Veteran's migraines are not related to his active duty service and are not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD or tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to his military service. The Board also granted service connection for tinnitus, concluding that it began during service and has persisted.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing onset or continuity of symptomatology in service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The examiner will need to consider the Veteran's exposure to noise during active duty, as well as any post-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied, and the issue of service connection for Parkinson's disease associated with herbicide exposure is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's representative argues that his hearing acuity has worsened since his September 2014 VA examination, and there is a need for a new examination to determine if he meets the regulatory requirements for a bilateral hearing loss disability. For tinnitus, the issues are intertwined with the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus and atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service, nor may it be presumed to be. His heart conditions are not related to his military service or within a year of discharge.,Service connection was also denied for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar and cervical spines.