Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to insufficient evidence of total disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are linked to the appellant's noise exposure during his periods of active duty for training.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus as the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there was no evidence of herbicide exposure. The claim for TDIU is also remanded due to lack of information on employment status.

The Veteran's claim for higher SMC under Section 1114(o) was denied as he did not meet the criteria for any of the rates provided in Sections 1114(l), (m), (n), or (o). The Board found that his service-connected disabilities have not resulted in anatomical loss or use of both arms, hands, legs, feet, or eyes, nor has he been permanently bedridden or helpless as to need regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are likely due to his active service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus, left shoulder disability, left elbow disability, left and right knee disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service hearing loss or that his current hearing loss is related to service.

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

The Board has remanded the claims for a left ankle sprain and tinnitus due to the need to obtain additional medical records, particularly from Maxwell Air Force Base. For the left ankle sprain claim, the Board is seeking private treatment records related to the appellant's current left ankle condition. For the tinnitus claim, the Board needs an addendum opinion considering the appellant's recent statements regarding the onset of his tinnitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions were caused by his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, with a combined rating of 90 percent.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of his employment background.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service-connected diabetes, and the Board has granted secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as the evidence supports that these conditions were incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected seventh facial nerve injury is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent, and his hearing loss disability is not higher than a 10 percent rating.,However, he was granted TDIU based on his combined service-connected disabilities (80%) being high enough to meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing disability related to his military service and tinnitus is not related to noise exposure in service. The claim for PTSD was remanded as there is insufficient evidence to decide the case.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's PTSD claim was reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's breathing condition (presumed to be related to asbestos exposure) was not granted as the VA examiner found insufficient in-service exposure to cause the condition, and did not reconcile with past medical records that diagnosed asbestosis.,The Veteran's claim for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The VA examiner found insufficient in-service exposure to cause the condition, and did not reconcile with past medical records that diagnosed the condition during service.,The Veteran's claims for anatomical loss of the right and left lower extremities were not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's claim for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities was not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The VA examiner found insufficient in-service exposure to cause the condition, and did not reconcile with past medical records that diagnosed the condition during service.,The Veteran's claim for stroke was not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied because there is no evidence of in-service onset or a relationship to service.,Service connection for left hip arthritis and swollen joints was also denied as the condition did not manifest within one year after separation from service, and there is no evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's current gout was also denied due to lack of evidence showing its presence during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and right ear tinnitus were granted. The claim for chronic prostatitis was remanded, as well as the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depression (including anxiety and PTSD).