Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal was denied as there is no legal basis for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus, and service connection for PTSD, depression, vertigo, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and arthritis of the feet were not established. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and notifying her of any inability to obtain the requested documents.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, tinnitus, or a back disability, due to his service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service and noise exposure therein, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the latter being granted as a result of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while the low back and neck disabilities remain in dispute due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder), chronic sleep impairment, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and nephropathy with hypertension. The Board found that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and service or any presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted. Bilateral hearing loss is found to have been incurred in service, while tinnitus is also found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during his active military service. The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss requires further development before being decided on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is January 22, 2007. For special monthly compensation based upon aid and attendance or housebound status, the Veteran's condition does not meet the criteria as he can feed himself and prepare his own meals.

The combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, allowing for a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus began within one year of active military service and is presumed to be related to his service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for residuals of frostbite of the feet, but has granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's low back and psychiatric disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's preexisting umbilical hernia was not aggravated by active duty service, and therefore, he is denied service connection for the condition. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current sleep impairment, cyst on the head, psychiatric disability (PTSD), PFB, and tinnitus with his military service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his service, including exposure to noise trauma. Therefore, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service or service-connected conditions, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's headaches, which are claimed as secondary to service-connected tinnitus and PTSD. The Veteran needs an examination to determine if his headaches are related to service or caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate cancer (due to herbicide exposure), and erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer. The Veteran is also eligible for special monthly compensation based on the loss of use of a creative organ.