Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and a heart condition other than hypertension, were denied. The claim for service connection for a dental condition was also denied. Service connection for residuals of a left elbow fracture is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to the need for updated functional limitation opinions and VA examinations, as well as the retrieval of outstanding medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it had its onset during active service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a claim before October 2, 2012, for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements about noise exposure and subsequent symptoms, with no other intervening acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of evidence showing a confirmed diagnosis and no stressor event during service.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no indication that the condition began during or soon after service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of their onset during service or within one year after separation. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, and denied service connection for tinnitus and heart disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is linked to his active service, while sleep apnea is secondary to his now service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar spine disorder (back disorder), left knee disorder, right knee disorder, toe disorder, and bilateral foot disorder have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and granted service connection. The issues of service connection for TBI, increased ratings for shell fragment wounds of the left shoulder and upper back with retained foreign body, left shoulder scar, mid-back inferior lateral scar, and posterior lateral left lower back scars are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including for service connection and increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees (bilateral knee disability). The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot disorder. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is also granted.

The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to new evidence indicating the Veteran may have these conditions related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected Guillain Barre Syndrome and awarded special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.