Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The appeal is granted in part as it relates to the cervical spine disability issue.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 60 percent rating. However, he is granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of low back strain, vertigo, and chronic sinus disability are remanded.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they may be related to her military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure and he is granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The hearing loss evaluation is remanded as the Veteran has asserted worsening of his condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The issue of service connection for forgetfulness has been withdrawn by the Veteran. The issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury and seizures are remanded due to lack of a medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board denied service connection for these conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disorder are granted as direct service connection. The low back disorder is not found to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus, a condition related to acoustic trauma during service, is found to be linked to his military service and granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied in a June 2009 rating decision and is not reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux, to include as secondary to PTSD, has been reopened with the submission of new evidence. The appeal is granted to this extent only.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in a July 2013 rating decision and is not reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened with the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been granted as it is presumed related to his service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for a right ankle disability, assessing the severity of bilateral hearing loss, and considering extraschedular evaluations.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for a low back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral chronic otitis and tinnitus due to insufficient competent evidence of record. The Veteran is required to be scheduled for a VA examination to assess whether there is a causal link between his current chronic otitis and military service, including asserted upper respiratory infections and/or ear infections.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus due to new and material evidence. However, it denied the claim as there is no current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for achilles tendinitis, and entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety and bulimia are remanded.

Tinnitus is granted as incurred during active service. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety and bulimia remains pending due to the need for a Statement of the Case on the issue of new and material evidence for achilles tendinitis.

The Veteran's DDD with radiculopathy was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board finds no causal relationship between his current condition and service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes within one year of separation from active duty.