Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, as the VA examiners found that her conditions do not prevent her from performing sedentary work.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied.,For tinnitus, the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to noise during service resulted in current tinnitus. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss as it did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria to establish a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria to establish a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral knee disorders, and lumbosacral spine disorder have all been reopened. The additional evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lung scarring, IBS, and familial tremors due to a lack of nexus between the conditions and service. The Veteran's exposure to noise during service was conceded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is already rated at the maximum of 10 percent, so a higher rating cannot be granted.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus. The Board finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus began in service due to noise exposure.,The Veteran’s lower back disability and left knee disability are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left shoulder, back, bilateral knee, and hearing loss/tinnitus disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and opinion as the VA examiner's etiology opinion is inadequate.

The Veteran's right foot disability has been granted a 20% rating. The issues of service connection for the right knee, sleep disorder, left ankle disability, sinusitis, and bronchitis are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports reopening the claims. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current conditions were not related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues due to lack of VA treatment records, in-service noise exposure documentation, and other necessary development.

The Veteran's appeal regarding tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a head injury as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding tinnitus, PTSD, and requests to reopen service connection claims for bilateral ankle disorders before the Board made a decision.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss was not found to be related to military noise exposure, while tinnitus is presumed to have started during service.