Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate rationale in the December 2017 VA addendum opinion. A new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's exposure to acoustic trauma during service, his testimony regarding such exposure, and the May 2017 private audiologist's medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the bilateral hips, and tinnitus. The decision is based on incomplete service treatment records and discrepancies in medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but remanded the issue of service connection for bladder cancer due to potential exposure to radiation during service.

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 in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of proper notification regarding scheduled VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's current address, schedule him for an appropriate VA examination, and readjudicate his claim.

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

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as it did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no competent evidence linking his current condition to an in-service event or disease.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied. The appeal for revision of the combined rating for service-connected disabilities effective November 30, 2014 was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right foot condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran’s assertions that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death, as they have no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, and depression have been granted. The claim for an initial rating of 20 percent for left shoulder disability has also been granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, hearing loss, and diabetes. The appeal is being returned to the AOJ for review of additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The Board found no current diagnosis of these conditions and concluded that they were not related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so the claims are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depressive disorder, alcohol abuse disorder, and cannabis use disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service sexual assault.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and back disorder are granted service connection as they are found to be related to military service. The back disorder is remanded for further examination.