Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left and right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is denied as there is no verified stressor.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (dementia), liver disease, and prostate cancer. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his active service.,There was no indication of onset during service or causation due to in-service activities such as climbing, jumping, and physical duties.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of tinnitus, as it is unclear whether it is related to service-connected hearing loss. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing medical records and a VA examiner will need to review his claims file to determine if there is a connection between his tinnitus and his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is found to be a proximate cause of his diagnosed sleep disorder, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders (right and left), and tinnitus are all related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for a low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and tinnitus.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active service. The claim for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is remanded due to lack of a definitive diagnosis.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus and that it is caused by his active service, thus granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and shrapnel wound to scrotum with acute epididymitis, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment as of June 1, 2012. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise, and service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran died from colon cancer, which was not service-connected or related to any of his service-connected conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hyperlipidemia, low back disability, tinnitus, hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a left thigh scar, have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. Updated VA treatment records are needed, as well as a new opinion from a VA audiologist.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for alcohol and drug dependency, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, lower back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened due to new evidence received since previous denials. However, the Board finds that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was granted. The other claims were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, and the Board finds that they did not manifest during or within a presumptive period. The low back disability was first noted decades after service.,Service connection for the Veteran's low back disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current low back disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and clarification of his service connection claims, particularly regarding periods of active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, back disability, neck disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) were denied. The hearing loss claim was granted with a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during military service or are otherwise related to such service. The claim for service connection is denied.