Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), and lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 13, 2015, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 13, 2015, for a higher rating of 20 percent for SFW of the left elbow with numbness flexor surface left forearm with limitation of motion of the thumb has also been denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as the evidence did not show it was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA regulations. The issues of service connection and reopening of claims are addressed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have begun during service and is related to active service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The appeal to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for left wrist injury, left knee condition, right knee condition, and hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate development, specifically not obtaining the original claims file and not considering the Veteran's lay history regarding onset of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include TBI, tinnitus secondary to TBI, an acquired psychiatric disability including depression, and a fractured nose.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, cardiovascular condition (ischemic heart disease), and tinnitus have been granted. The decision also remanded the claims for service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for a fungal infection of the ear.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of April 27, 1993 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. However, he is still denied a compensable disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss.,An earlier effective date of February 13, 1971 for the grant of service connection for hearing loss was granted.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right eye disability and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of a VA examination.

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

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and actinic keratosis and seborrheic keratosis. The Veteran was exposed to noise in Vietnam during his military service but did not have a valid audiogram at separation from service. He has provided lay statements regarding the onset of his symptoms since service. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the case for further examination regarding tinnitus.