Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active service, but additional evidence is needed for other conditions. The Veteran will need to provide updated treatment records and undergo a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for unspecified arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and tinnitus are on appeal. The Veteran was previously denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status. These issues will be remanded for appropriate action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 4, 2013.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected due to military noise exposure. The right shoulder degenerative joint disease rating remains at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of documentation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and ischemic heart disease claims are remanded for further evaluation. The hearing loss claim is also remanded, but with a request to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and mouth injury residuals due to incomplete medical opinions and inaccurate factual predicates.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus is dismissed. The Board also remanded the case to consider his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for glaucoma has been granted, but the claim remains denied. The Board has also remanded cases related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, due to incomplete records. Service connection for malignant melanoma of the left forearm and right leg is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting medical opinions and insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to noise during military duty. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, bilateral shoulder disability, hypertension, brain condition, neurological impairment of the breast and nipples, and mental condition are all granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney condition, and PTSD claims are all subject to further review.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU prior to October 22, 2009 is being remanded for further consideration. The Board finds that the Veteran may be unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD and has referred the case to the Director of Compensation Service for an initial determination on whether an extraschedular award based on TDIU should be assigned.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the claim was filed in May 2012 and the first evidence showing entitlement arose in September 2012. The effective date of the award is set at May 17, 2012.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, a sleep disorder including obstructive sleep apnea, and various other conditions have been granted. The decision also remands several rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and right biceps strain with scar are granted. Service connection for a low back disorder and residuals of TBI are remanded.