Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. Service connection was also granted for right hip and left hip disorders as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, and other conditions, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning January 5, 2010.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development due to the need for updated employment evaluations and consideration of all relevant medical records.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder, bilateral upper extremity arthritis, eye disorder, tinnitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, erectile dysfunction, and headaches. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted as of August 28, 2006, based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted as of August 28, 2006, based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted effective May 26, 2010. The Veteran's claim for service connection for shortness of breath is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, including as secondary to his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain, is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection was granted for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Board found in favor of the Veteran based on the presence of current disability and symptomatology related to his service-connected condition.,The effective date for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied as there was no evidence of a claim prior to August 14, 2012.,An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,A higher than 70 percent rating for PTSD was denied as there were no additional symptoms or complications beyond those already established by service connection.,The Board found that the Veteran had not provided new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Board found that the evidence supported a link between these conditions and his military service, including exposure to noise during combat.

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

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The Board also found that he had a current diagnosis of bilateral knee conditions, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and denied service connection for swollen bilateral ankles.,Service connection was granted for hearing loss and tinnitus due to exposure to loud noises during service. The bilateral knee conditions, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma were not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to an inadequate examination, as the examiner did not consider the Veteran's reports of long-standing symptoms prior to his VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back condition due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical opinions regarding his ability to work, and further development of federal personnel records and SSA disability records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lower back disability, bilateral hearing loss due to acoustic trauma, left ear infections, and tinnitus. The Veteran's separation examination took place in May 1975, but he alleges that he was involved in a motor vehicle accident during service. Additional records from Germany are needed, as well as VA examinations to determine the etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected due to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of his disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss is considered aggravated by service, while tinnitus is found to be a symptom of the now-service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ankle degenerative joint disease have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection cannot be established as there is no evidence showing a current disability or that any diagnosed conditions are related to military service.