Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his Parkinson's disease symptoms have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot great toe disability, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to incomplete medical records and lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected barotrauma residuals and tinnitus are both granted, with a separate rating for tinnitus.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was initially diagnosed during active duty, and her tinnitus is linked to military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded to obtain a VA examination, while the claim for tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and insomnia, is granted as incurred in service. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dysmenorrhea, and joint and abdomen pain are not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is considered a compensable disability that has been present since service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to Agent Orange exposure.,Cancers of the tongue and lymph nodes are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are related to Agent Orange exposure.,Cancer of the head is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to Agent Orange exposure.,An acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and sleep problems, secondary to tinnitus, is being remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) were denied. The Veteran was also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease prior to June 16, 2017 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not incurred in service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded these issues due to a need for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disorder and tinnitus has been granted. The case is remanded for further development, including an audiological examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to service-connected disabilities, needs further review and additional evidence is required.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and a sleep condition is dismissed.,Service connection for tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with radicular symptoms of paresthesias in both lower extremities, and major depressive disorder with psychotic features is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while the valvular heart disease is not.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. Service connection for valvular heart disease and heart valve replacement (claimed as coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure) is denied.