Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is established for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 3, 2014 are denied as the earliest possible effective date has already been assigned.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus is denied as he has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected sinusitis is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and has persisted since then, granting service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure. The Board found that the Veteran experienced hearing problems during service, which is considered combat-related under 38 U.S.C. § 1154(b).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, headache disorder (secondary to his service-connected disabilities), and allergic rhinitis has been granted. The Board found new and material evidence supporting the reopening of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of increased rating for bilateral foot disability, service connection for lower back disability, cervical spine disability, and left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder, as well as bilateral pes planus, are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the cases of bilateral hearing loss and anxiety are remanded due to need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (torticollis) was previously denied in July 1971, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is not warranted as it does not constitute a recognized disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and failure to consider aggravation of his current disabilities by other service-connected conditions. The claims are also remanded for further development regarding hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, and right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depressive disorder) due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be further developed by obtaining additional information about in-service stressors and providing a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss. Service connection was denied for otitis externa.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied, with the effective dates set at August 20, 2016. The Board found no prior communication that could be construed as a claim before this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The initial rating for his low back disability is denied, but a higher rating of 60 percent is granted from February 13, 2015 to the present. Ratings in excess of 10 percent are denied for neuropathy of both lower extremities secondary to the low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's PTSD is not rated higher than 70 percent.

The appeals for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right leg radiculopathy, but denied service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and elevated cholesterol levels.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the February 2008 denial. However, both claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

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