Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's hypertension is denied as not being related to service or secondary to his diabetes.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for mastoiditis with otitis media and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current tinnitus and his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially-gainful occupation prior to September 4, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, right elbow and ear surgical scars, bilateral inner ear scars, bilateral hearing loss, left-hand ring finger disorder, left thigh disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, and left foot disorder have all been granted based on service connection being presumed due to in-service noise exposure, surgeries, and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine have been granted service connection. The Board has remanded for further examination on neck, hip, knee, and tailbone disorders.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic bronchitis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, left ring finger disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.,No new evidence has been submitted to reopen service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether PTSD is related to his combat experience in Vietnam. Additionally, updated treatment records are needed, and an examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, while right ear hearing loss is not. The bilateral eye disorders have been rated as a combined 30 percent since February 28, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of right elbow condition and lower back condition are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The bilateral knee condition issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is considered to be due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on continuous symptoms since service separation, which meets the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions began during service and have been recurrent since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral peripheral neuropathy due to new evidence provided by the Veteran. The claim for GERD is being deferred until more information can be obtained regarding the alleged contaminated water and food supply on board the U.S.S. Midway.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Veteran was not granted a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss or chronic otitis externa, and the Board found that he did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to lack of substantial evidence regarding his employment history.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD, left knee disability, and right knee disability was dismissed. The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition in service or post-service continuity of symptoms.