Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus was denied as not related to service, despite conceded noise exposure. The Board found the Veteran's reports of continuity of symptoms since service were not credible and gave more weight to the VA examiner's opinion.

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

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

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for bone spurs on feet, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for VA to obtain his Social Security Administration records and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection. The effective date for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss is set at January 15, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for tinnitus and PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of an earlier claim or intent to apply for benefits.,For the remaining issues, including service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, low back disability, skin rash, and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, the case has been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD and CAD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria. The claims for PTSD and major depressive disorder were also denied as there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed disabilities and his active duty service, including hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and any potential connection with service-related acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and tinnitus due to new evidence requiring a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a low back disability and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining updated treatment records, conducting VA examinations, and providing medical opinions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for allergies was denied as new and material evidence had not been received.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are reopened, and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection for both conditions are met.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for a sinus condition (claimed as allergies). The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service. For the sinus condition, a VA examination is needed to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to in-service upper respiratory infections.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus and remanded the issue of service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his requests for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,There is no evidence of a current right or left ankle disability. The Veteran’s service treatment records do not show any ankle injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of relevant VA treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain any private medical records related to his conditions.