Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during active service due to acoustic trauma, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the case is remanded for further examination regarding hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension due to a lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred in or aggravated by military service. Service connection for tinnitus is remanded as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board grants entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, but denied service connection for tinnitus and back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to April 6, 2016. Therefore, the effective date for his TDIU rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records. The Board requires the Veteran to identify and provide authorization for any non-VA clinicians who have treated him for his service-connected hearing loss, including the issuance of hearing aids.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70 percent, but he does not have at least one disability rated at 40 percent or more. The Board has referred his TDIU claim to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected knee disabilities, tinnitus, and depression.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and allergic dermatitis. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability, bilateral foot disability (pes planus), and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and adjustment disorder) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as a remand is required to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to new evidence added to the record after the last decision. The VA must review this new evidence before making a determination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right wrist disorder, back disorder, neck disorder, left knee strain, and right knee disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Veteran reported an onset during active duty and the VA examiner opined that excessive noise exposure may have been a precursor to tinnitus at that time.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthropathy is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or related to an in-service injury.,Service connection for the low back condition, diagnosed as degenerative lumbosacral spine disease with congenital spinal stenosis, is also denied due to lack of a nexus between the current diagnosis and service.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to November 23, 2011. The Board denied the claim for an effective date prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, specifically a lack of VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's other service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to report for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no probative medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service. The appeal is now remanded for further development.