Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The effective dates for the service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for inguinal hernia. The claims for back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, myeloma, peripheral neuropathy (left upper extremity), peripheral neuropathy (left lower extremity), radiculopathy (right lower extremity), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder) are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, and a VA examination is needed to determine if his current hearing loss is related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, diabetes mellitus (type II), prostate disability (secondary to herbicide exposure), lung disability, and initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder have been granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is February 9, 2012, while the effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are May 9, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service events.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD or pain from his other disabilities caused or aggravated his heart disease, which was the cause of death.

The Veteran's tinnitus and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been granted service connection.,Service connection for bilateral hip disorders, right and left knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and a lumbar spine disorder (secondary to service-connected pes planus) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues related to CUE in previous rating decisions, and the current appeal is considered inextricably intertwined with these matters.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain unresolved.

Service connection is denied for a right knee disability, hypertension, and tinnitus.,Effective dates prior to October 2, 2015, are not warranted for service connection of migraine headaches and fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has determined that these conditions are related to his noise exposure during active duty service, and thus grants service connection for both disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for prostate disorder due to lack of evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are granted as service connected. The issue of aggravation of pre-existing right ear hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's condition did not warrant a compensable rating prior to September 5, 2017 and only warranted a 10 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded due to the need for further examination.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, low back injury residuals, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records and for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and PTSD are related to her military service.