Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, upper respiratory condition (including sinusitis), pulmonary condition (including emphysema, COPD, and chronic airway obstruction not elsewhere classified), sleep apnea, heart condition, and gastrointestinal condition have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his active military service, and granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his obstructive sleep apnea is inadequate. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct further examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, human papilloma virus (HPV), a skin disorder to include skin cancer and penile cancer, a heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete records and procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the case of a sleep disorder secondary to a service-connected disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, L5-S1 degenerative disc disease with foraminal stenosis (claimed as back injury), and radiculopathy, right lower extremity. The decision will be reconsidered after obtaining updated VA treatment records and clarifying the due process issues.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for hypertension, as the Veteran does not currently have a diagnosis of hypertension. For tinnitus, the Veteran’s statements were deemed not credible due to lack of medical records indicating the presence of tinnitus. For diabetes mellitus, the preponderance of evidence did not support an increased rating.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and headaches are denied.,A rating in excess of 50 percent for headaches is denied. From May 13, 2017, a TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred during service due to in-service noise exposure, and the appeal is granted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, impotency, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), all for accrued benefits purposes. The decision found no current disabilities or evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral tinnitus is granted. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened, but the rating and effective date are not assigned as the matter is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology. Service connection is not granted as there is no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied it on the merits.,Service connection was not granted for tinnitus, left shoulder disorder, back disorder, or right shoulder disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least equipoise that these conditions began during service. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also granted.