Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the cases of bilateral hearing loss and rash of the hands and feet are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The case of residuals of stroke is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. For bilateral hearing loss, the evidence did not show current disability as defined by VA regulations. For tinnitus, while there was noise exposure during service, the VA examiner found no causal relationship between in-service noise exposure and the current condition.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for tinnitus, PTSD, and sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and eye injury have been remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus had its onset in service and has persisted since. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, recurrent tinnitus, and an increased rating for a scar on the upper third of his left thigh have all been granted. The grant is based on direct service connection due to in-service acoustic trauma.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records from the Richmond and Fort Lee VA facilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for speech disorder, tinnitus, headache disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and balance disorder as secondary to residuals of mild traumatic brain injury due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the Veteran did not report having these conditions prior to his death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating. The Board has determined that application of the regular schedular provisions is not impractical.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed chronic sleep disorder during the appeal period. Therefore, service connection for a sleep disorder cannot be granted.,The Veteran's headaches have also not been diagnosed as a current condition. Thus, service connection for headaches cannot be granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, breathing-related disability, and lower back disability are granted. The Veteran is denied for higher initial ratings or earlier effective dates for her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of recurrent tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his nonservice-connected dementia was the primary cause of his need for assistance.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and evaluations in excess of certain percentages for various conditions, as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of various disabilities, including PTSD, right hand/wrist disability, lumbar spine condition, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Board has also determined that verification of the Veteran's in-service stressors is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss or sufficient medical opinion to establish a link between service and either condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of recent medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide any additional relevant records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and an increased rating is denied.,The effective date for a 80 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss has been changed to January 6, 2014. The earlier claim for this increase in disability is remanded as it cannot be granted prior to the date of treatment on January 6, 2014.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including major depressive disorder is being remanded due to a lack of VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's widow is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for loss of balance due to lack of a Statement of the Case.