Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is related to the Veteran's noise exposure during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his passing during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability on secondary basis, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. The claims are all granted.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle arthritis, and left leg condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding hearing loss of the right ear and tinnitus due to withdrawal by the appellant. The cases for coronary artery disease and mood disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus need further examination and consideration. The case is being remanded to allow for additional evidence to be added to the file and for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder with insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, are of such severity that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus and granted it, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus was related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's claims are not currently granted as service connection is denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints, bilateral heel spurs, and initial compensable ratings for lumbar spine strain, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The claim for tinnitus was granted, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss and TBI were denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated at 0 percent and his bilateral tinnitus is also rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board found that these ratings are appropriate based on the medical evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his exposure to hazardous noise in service.

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

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete examination records and unresolved issues regarding service connection. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable by December 6, 2009. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted for the period from December 6, 2009 to July 14, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach/esophageus disorder and tinnitus, as well as the rating issues for right shoulder sprain, right wrist sprain, and right ankle sprain are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability claim is also being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claims of diffuse arthritis (other than right shoulder) and gastrointestinal disorder.