Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that the Veteran's Meniere's Disease should be remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology and whether it is related to service-connected hearing loss or tinnitus. The TDIU claim also needs further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, left hip disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and TBI due to potential unavailability of records. The diabetes claim is deferred until additional information can be obtained.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for a back condition, tinnitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 14, 2015 and May 11, 2016 for service connection due to lack of formal or informal claims before those dates. The case is remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case on the issue of an effective date prior to May 11, 2016.

The Veteran's Meniere’s disease and major depressive disorder were rated based on their current manifestations. The rating for Meniere’s disease was denied, while the ratings for major depressive disorder were partially granted with staged increases in severity. Other service-connected conditions related to low back disability and sciatica were also remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

Service connection for tinnitus is granted due to in-service exposure to loud noise. Service connection for malignant melanoma, presumed related to herbicide exposure, is also granted.,Service connection for an enlarged heart (hypertension) is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was denied, while claims for service connection of tic disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders were granted. The Veteran's headaches are currently rated as noncompensable but the Board has remanded to determine if a TDIU is warranted based on his newly service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected because the evidence shows a current disability, continuity of symptomology since separation from service, and credible statements by the Veteran.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal of service connection for hypertension, hearing loss, and initial ratings for bipolar II disorder with psychotic features and PTSD, spinal stenosis at L4-5, lumbar radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremity, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records from the Veteran's active service. Additional attempts are required to obtain these records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, a rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability, an increased rating for tinnitus, and a compensable rating for a lumbar spine scar. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the low back disorder claim and concluding that there is no medical or credible lay evidence linking the tinnitus to service.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, tinnitus, depressive disorder, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted. The claim for right middle finger fracture residuals has been denied.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder condition and right shoulder condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to incomplete records. The Veteran needs to provide VA with his complete service treatment records, as well as any post-service medical records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and headaches due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and persisted since.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, increased disability evaluations for a fractured coccyx and tinnitus. The claim of an initial compensable disability evaluation for a right nasal septal deformity is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for low back problems and bilateral hearing loss.