Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issue of bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure in service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to his periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA). The dates of these periods need to be verified, and a new medical opinion is required to determine if the conditions were caused by or related to these training periods.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right ear tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to noise exposure during INACDUTRA (inactive duty training) in September 1967.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had current disabilities, experienced acoustic trauma during service, and provided sufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between his conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active service and are related to his MOS as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of STRs, an inadequate VA examination, and incomplete records. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for extra-schedular ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities did not cause marked interference with employment or necessitate frequent hospitalization.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on credible lay statements and medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 50 percent rating for migraines is granted. The Veteran also has other service-connected conditions, but the appeal does not address their effective dates or whether they are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee, left knee, right leg, left leg, muscle disorder, eye disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, skin rash disability, chronic pain disorder, and neck disability. The decision also denied reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left inguinal hernia surgery and right thumb disability have been withdrawn. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are denied, as they did not manifest within one year of discharge or to a compensable degree due to intercurrent causes. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his combined 100% disability rating.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder and insomnia), and denied service connection for tinnitus. The effective date remains October 28, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic conditions that could be linked to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims for residuals of a head injury, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and unassociated treatment records. The Veteran is currently incarcerated, which complicates obtaining necessary medical evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have started during service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted effective April 30, 2015. A 50% disability rating has also been assigned for PTSD.