Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure. The decision is based on direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need to be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA examinations did not adequately address all available relevant evidence, including the Veteran's testimony about noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to her military service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, granted service connection for tinnitus, and denied service connection for a chronic right shoulder disorder. The case is remanded to obtain an opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right eye disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus and hemorrhoids have been granted. The remaining issues, including those related to his back disability, plantar fasciitis, GERD, and erectile dysfunction, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset in service or within one year of separation from active duty. The evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's in-service ear infection and his current tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The Veteran's current tinnitus is considered to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability and tinnitus due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to their inextricability with the service connection claim for a mass of the right cerebellopontine angle (CPA).

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service exposure to loud noises, meeting the criteria for service connection under presumptive provisions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and left ear hearing loss were denied. The maximum rating of 10 percent for tinnitus was upheld. A higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was not granted due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. Left ear hearing loss was rated at zero percent as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending with an effective date set at April 13, 2016.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded them due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and he is also entitled to SMC by reason of being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have started during active duty. The left knee, right hand, and ankle conditions were denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service. The right foot condition was also denied for the same reason. Service connection for thyroid and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.,The Veteran's left knee, right hand, and ankle conditions were not granted as they did not have a link to his military service. His right foot condition was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's thyroid condition is being remanded because the July 2015 VA examiner found that it may be aggravated by another condition (heart condition). Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The right ankle disability, bilateral flatfoot, and acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia) were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of medical evidence supporting the Veteran's claim. The case will be sent back for further development, including obtaining an updated opinion from the audiologist who conducted the June 2015 examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches due to incomplete examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide information about any healthcare providers who have treated his conditions and to reschedule missed examinations.