Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disorder but granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of rating the left and right foot plantar fasciitis are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 22, 2010 was denied because the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his left shoulder disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have begun during service and has persisted since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for mitochondrial disease and muscle weakness, vertigo, tinnitus, chronic fatigue, AAA, gastrointestinal problems, arachnoiditis, enhanced brain meninges and Horton’s syndrome, a chronic headache disability, and cognitive maladies. Additional records are needed from SSA and private sources, and VA medical opinions are required to clarify the disabilities and determine their relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss are related to service. However, due to the need for additional medical examinations, the claims are being remanded.

The Board has determined that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, including his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, major depressive disorder (MDD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has been reopened. The appeal is granted to this extent.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial increased rating for tinnitus due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues of service connection and ratings for various disabilities are remanded.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to address the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability. The case is being remanded for a VA examination.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, asthma, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. The appeals were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims as they are related to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus due to noise exposure during service. The VA will obtain all relevant records, schedule a VA examination by an otolaryngologist, and provide a medical opinion on whether current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including a May 2014 and May 2015 private audiogram.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and providing an addendum opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability related to in-service noise exposure, and continuity of symptoms could not be established.