Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are related to service. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and provide a new VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service noise exposure will be considered, and a new examination is required.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, sinusitis, sleep apnea, hypertension, chest pain, a dental disorder for treatment purposes, and ear disability. The issues are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to incongruent test results from during his active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between current conditions and in-service noise exposure or other factors.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure, the conditions were not seen within one year of separation, and there is no continuity of symptoms. The VA examiners concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and mid-thoracic degenerative disc disease, residuals of a nose fracture (deviated nasal septum), and depressive disorder. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied. The case is remanded to address the issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities, schizophrenia with anxiety, and TDIU due to incomplete STRs and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but the issues are being remanded due to missing medical records and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 19, 2013 for service connection of right hip bursitis, lumbar strain disability, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are remanded to obtain VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are remanded due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected as it was caused by the anti-malaria medication prescribed during his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claim to reopen his hearing loss claim has been granted, but service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a gastrointestinal disability (to include colon cancer), a kidney disability (to include kidney failure), and diabetes mellitus for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The appeal for a TDIU was also remanded.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including sleep apnea and thoracolumbar spine issues, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.