Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current disabilities are more likely due to normal aging process and post-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's heart condition is remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for coronary artery disease is also remanded as the Veteran claims it was caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to military noise exposure. The Veteran's statements and testimony have been found credible.

The Board affirms the grant of a clothing allowance for a back brace used by the Veteran for his service-connected back disability, but denies the claims for topical cream and TENS unit.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus due to noise exposure during active service. However, the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU, but his unemployability may be due to his service-connected conditions. The case is being remanded for further review and possible extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be reconsidered after obtaining updated medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disorder, Meniere's syndrome, tinnitus, sinus disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and nail fungus on fingernails and toes due to failure to appear at VA examinations. A new VA examination is required in each case.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no effective date claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder due to insufficient information in the December 2016 VA examiner's opinion. The examiner did not provide a clear determination on whether the Veteran’s depression is directly related to service or secondary to his cervical spine disability, and their conclusion that it was more likely caused by alcohol dependence during a separate examination is not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dental disorders are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection is denied for left testicle disability due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disabilities related to such exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his right hip disability claim which was denied. The left hip and back disabilities are now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection is also not granted for low back condition and neck condition as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.