Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypothyroidism, and left ulnar neuropathy have been granted service connection. The Veteran’s tinnitus is presumed due to in-service noise exposure, her hypothyroidism is presumptively related to military service, and her left ulnar neuropathy is associated with a history of elbow problems not related to spinal conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's back disability is remanded for further examination.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, and a 100 percent initial evaluation is granted for the cerebrovascular accident prior to January 15, 2017.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not file a claim prior to June 19, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues related to residuals of a rib injury, migraines, back strains (claimed as thoracic spine condition), tinnitus, increased rating for Meniere's Disease, and increased rating for depression.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The prostate cancer claim is remanded as verification of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA periods is needed. The inextricably intertwined psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a need for an addendum opinion on coronary artery disease. The claims are not granted at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hypertension. Service connection is remanded for sleep apnea, which may be related to hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic low back condition, left knee status post meniscectomy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied because the schedular criteria were not met, and there is no evidence of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malaria was denied, and the Board found that he is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable level of 10 percent. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with the VA medical opinion provided.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,Service connection for schizoaffective disorder is granted, with the onset during active service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the decision was vacated due to his death, and no service connection issues remain as he died before a decision could be made.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus and granted the claim, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a finding that the current tinnitus disability is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, left and right thigh disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, tinnitus, and GERD. The remaining issues are pending further examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD, otitis externa and perforated tympanic membrane, hearing loss, and tinnitus need to be remanded due to inadequate examination reports and lack of consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations related to his hearing loss, sleep apnea, heart disease, prostate cancer, stroke, and psychiatric disorders. The effective date of service connection remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to perceived deficiencies in a previous VA opinion.