Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of November 29, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but granted service connection for tinnitus based on its presence during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right shoulder/arm conditions, make it impossible for him to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's tinnitus and heart murmur are granted service connection, but his diabetes mellitus type II is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The right ear hearing loss issue is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss. The VA examiner did not provide a clear explanation for the in-service shift in hearing acuity and the Veteran's lay reports of immediate onset hearing loss.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension were granted service connection. The left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, sleep disability, cephalgia tension headaches (claimed as migraines), and acquired psychiatric disabilities were not granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus because there was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during active duty, and the delay in reporting symptoms did not establish a service connection.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for tinnitus and remanded other issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for tinnitus, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confine him substantially to his dwelling and immediate premises, thus denying special monthly compensation benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and perforated tympanic membrane are related to service. However, due to incomplete or insufficient opinions in the November 2012 VA examination, the issues of bilateral hearing loss and perforated tympanic membrane require further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure and that the current tinnitus did not have a causal relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete record development, including obtaining a pre-employment physical examination records and military personnel records. A new medical examination is also required.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the Veteran's conditions did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there was no evidence linking his current conditions to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of medical opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements about symptoms since discharge.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD. The case is being sent back for a VA examination to determine if the sleep apnea is related to his active duty service or any service-connected conditions, and whether it is caused by medications used to treat other conditions.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in his early twenties and have continued since. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence linking current hearing loss to in-service noise exposure.