Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma was denied as new and material evidence has not been received. The Board also remanded the issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for shrapnel wound residuals, skin disability (including as due to herbicide exposure in service), and peripheral artery disease (including as due to herbicide exposure in service).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of tinnitus. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal for all conditions.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection, except for the claim of an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder). The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are associated with his active duty service in Korea.

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

The Veteran's pension claim was initially denied due to lack of active wartime service. However, the grant of service connection for tinnitus may establish the required active wartime service. The Board finds that the issue must be remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since March 26, 2014. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and earlier effective dates for major depression with anxiety disorder and tinea pedis. The Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities were granted service connection based on in-service injuries.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as a service-connected condition. The left knee and right hand conditions are not service-connected, but the neuropathy of both upper extremities is secondary to diabetes mellitus. PTSD with drug and alcohol abuse meets criteria for a 70% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to missing VA treatment records, as well as a need for further examination of his lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim for reopening a previously denied left knee disability is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure causing current hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected due to noise exposure during service and his now service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, so his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to exposure to loud noise during his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The respiratory claim is based on direct evidence, while the hearing loss and tinnitus claims are based on continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for initial compensable ratings for bilateral dry eye disorder and tension headaches, service connection for various conditions, and a VA examination is required to address the etiology of hypertension.