Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding of current disability. The Board is remanding the claims for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), pulmonary disability including asthma, low back disability including scoliosis, and bilateral knee disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI was denied as there was no in-service injury or disease, and the evidence does not support a finding that his current symptoms are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to concerns about the reliability of a study cited in previous VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, despite his reported limitations and current employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise with regard to showing these conditions are associated with the Veteran's service. The decision affirms the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities within VA's definition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and ischemic heart disease have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of an effective date earlier than March 28, 2013 for bilateral hearing loss, as well as the issues regarding initial compensable ratings prior to March 25, 2019 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date for bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains on appeal due to the RO assigning an effective date of March 28, 2013, which is one year prior to his submission of the FDC application. The Board found no evidence supporting a higher effective date.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, sleep apnea, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastrointestinal disability, and hypertension disabilities have been denied. The claim of service connection for a heart disability has been reopened but remains denied.

The Veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The low back disability is rated at 20 percent. Bilateral hearing loss has not been established as related to service. Tinnitus has been found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale in the VA medical opinions provided, and because VA failed to obtain relevant chest imaging studies.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disorder, psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, lumbar spine disorder, shoulder disorder, and sleep apnea, were denied as new and material evidence was not presented.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's residual scar on chin is granted service connection. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as they pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service. Service connection for a dental condition is also denied due to lack of evidence showing bone loss through trauma or disease during active military service.

The appeals of the denials of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, service connection for tinnitus, service connection for sleep apnea, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore cannot establish service connection.,The Veteran's tinnitus was diagnosed many years after separation from service, and the VA examiner opined it is less likely than not related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision is based on the aggravation of pre-existing left ear hearing loss during service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have approximated the criteria for a 30 percent rating, but not for a 50 percent rating. The Board has also remanded his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are causally related to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete STRs and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature of his pre-existing conditions and their relation to service.