Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD had its onset in service and is granted service connection. However, the claim for tinnitus was denied as there is insufficient evidence to link it to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, both found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's major depression is rated at 70 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been denied. The Veteran also appealed for a TDIU but was denied as he remains employed full-time.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active service and is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened. The claim for tinnitus was granted, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss was not reopened.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits as her husband had never been rated as totally disabled for at least ten years prior to his death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and right ankle disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had current diagnoses of hearing loss and tinnitus, which were likely linked to his active duty service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military noise exposure and grants service connection for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and remanded the issue of a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his military service. The evidence shows significant noise exposure during active duty which is considered a direct link to the current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability caused damage to his clothing, and the Board granted a clothing allowance for 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and opinion due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and back disability are not related to service, but his tinnitus appeal was withdrawn. The claims for a bilateral hip disability and left eye disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 1, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received, resulting in the denial of reopening his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions. The claims will be returned for further action.

The Board has reopened claims for service connection for a left hip condition, tinnitus, and cold injury residuals of the upper extremities. Service connection is granted for tinnitus but denied for a right hip condition and cold injury residuals of the upper extremities. The claim for increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities remains pending.

The Board has remanded four issues: bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD, and adenoid cystic carcinoma. The Veteran's service treatment records indicate some respiratory symptoms during service, but the claims are being remanded for additional development including obtaining inpatient hospital records from Fort Jackson Army Hospital.