Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left eye blindness is not service-connected as it was noted on entrance into service and did not worsen during service.,Bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to in-service acoustic trauma, with current evidence showing the condition is at least in equipoise with its onset being related to service.

The Board has denied reopening the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the Board finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and abnormal liver/kidney disease were denied as there is no current disability or evidence of a relationship to service.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, including hypothyroidism with bradycardia, depression with a mood disorder, thoracolumbar spine strain with ankylosing spondylitis, and other conditions. The Board has determined that she meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Parkinson's disease (claimed as due to herbicide agents exposure) because the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his nonservice-connected tremor in his right hand.

The Board has vacated its previous remand order and is now remanding several issues related to TDIU, SMC at the housebound rate, DEA eligibility, increased ratings for coronary artery disease and tinnitus. The Veteran must be provided with a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding these matters.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted service connection for right and left ankle disorders and severe back pain. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 30, 2014, for the award of a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. Service connection and a 10 percent initial rating were granted as of March 28, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a relationship with service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a present disability under VA regulations. The Board finds that his current hearing status does not qualify him for compensation based on noise exposure in service.,The claim for tinnitus is granted as the initial onset occurred within one year of discharge and there is no evidence against it being related to service.,Barrett's esophagus is denied because there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service, and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a relationship with service.,Left hand numbness is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service, and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a relationship with service.,Right hand numbness is denied for similar reasons: no chronic condition during service and failure to establish a relationship with service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all claims related to pes planus, lumbar stenosis, tinnitus, and other service-connected conditions. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and a right thumb scar.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus due to new and material evidence, and finds that it is related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a current disability, as there is no record of any hearing loss or significant communication difficulties.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, clarification of employment status, and further development of his shoulder and migraine claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board denied the TDIU claim as there is no evidence that his service-connected conditions alone prevent him from obtaining or maintaining such employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's lay statements support his belief that he experienced hearing problems since service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.