Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, and hepatitis C due to incomplete history provided by the VA examiner in March 2012. The issues are now inextricably intertwined as they all relate to his active duty service from June 1970 to June 1973.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left-hand disability, right-hand disability, lumbar spine disability, skin condition, jungle rot, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's recent treatment records and his lay statements concerning onset and severity are to be considered.

The Veteran's Meniere’s syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are rated at a combined 60 percent effective September 2, 2005. The Board also granted TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and tinnitus were granted with an effective date of May 16, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner's opinion is inadequate, and a new examination is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, do not render him unemployable due to his high-functioning capacity despite the presence of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, low back disability with sciatica, and PTSD. Service connection was denied for right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as not being incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient examination findings. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a diagnosis of tinnitus, and the nature and etiology of any such diagnosis for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches, myositis of the left upper extremity, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, a left leg disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. However, the Board found that there is not enough evidence to support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and right shoulder disorder, but allowed the reopening of a claim for hearing loss. The appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service, specifically the acoustic trauma he experienced while in the Air Force. As a result, service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has not made a decision on the service connection for tinnitus as it is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's noise exposure during his military service in Saudi Arabia is conceded, but there are no records of tinnitus symptoms until after discharge.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claim for service connection of the low back condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's left shoulder injury and right acromioclavicular separation have been granted increased disability ratings of 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively, effective July 29, 2017.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not show that these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by active military service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and asbestosis, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The issue of a back condition is remanded for further examination.