Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was received on August 29, 2014. The effective date of the award is set at August 29, 2013, which is one year prior to the date of receipt of the claim. No earlier effective date is granted as VA did not receive a service-connection claim for tinnitus within one year of his discharge or release.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 30, 2010 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's earlier claim was reopened based on new evidence submitted in 2010.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service, including under continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's exposure to noise during service was noted but his post-service employment and activities were considered more significant in determining the cause of his current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence for service connection of squamous cell cancer and hearing loss. The tinnitus case has been denied as the maximum rating under the applicable diagnostic code is already assigned.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left hand, right hand, and right foot hallux valgus. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded issues regarding obstructive sleep apnea, left knee sprain with patellofemoral syndrome, non-displaced patella fracture, and medial meniscal tear. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral eye condition, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and acid reflux. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on two issues: whether a November 1995 rating decision granting service connection for PTSD should be revised due to CUE, and whether May 1996, July 1996, and February 1997 rating decisions denying an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD should also be revised on the basis of CUE.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected due to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to bring his combined disability rating to 90 percent, with at least one disability rated 40 percent or higher. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and grants TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and an initial rating of 50 percent for anxiety disorder with features of PTSD is granted.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to service connection and effective dates due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, hearing loss of the right ear, and tinnitus has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for hearing loss of the right ear and tinnitus are denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a back disorder and tinnitus. The claim of service connection for a knee disorder is remanded due to lack of examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the Board finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The knee disorder issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease with coronary artery bypass, migraine headaches, hernia, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since August 8, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and back disorder were evaluated. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating for any of these conditions and remanded several issues including service connection for a left knee disorder, individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU), and service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is granted, with the issues remanded for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus had its onset during his active duty service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.