Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and cancer of the tonsils, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were generally granted. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, DJD of the lumbar spine (prior to July 14, 2016), PTSD from July 2, 2014 to April 10, 2018, chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and individual unemployability prior to April 10, 2018 were all granted. The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent since July 14, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

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.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and rhinitis, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. Service connection was granted for tinnitus as it manifested within one year of discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service. The decision is based on credible statements of in-service noise exposure and post-service hearing loss.

The Veteran requested and was scheduled for a videoconference Board hearing, but subsequently withdrew her claims of earlier effective dates for tinnitus and TDIU.

The Board has decided the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee disability, psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities as there are outstanding VA treatment records that need to be secured.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disorder, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient consideration of all evidence in the file.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a chronic, identifiable disability during or after service, and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate rationale in the VA examination reports. The Veteran's testimony suggests a link between his military noise exposure and current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gout was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were both denied as there is no evidence of current disability within one year after discharge from active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to potential medical opinions needed.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but remanded the claim of service connection for hemorrhoids due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, left foot disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to post-service events rather than military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) are now pending.