Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further verification of the Veteran's service periods and a specific explosion incident in July 1970.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not show a chronic disease in service or continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. However, the Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, from May 26, 2015 to April 6, 2016 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease, including whether he has loss of use of any extremities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical strain, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus due to a lack of nexus opinions regarding service connection. The case must be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are granted service connection. The left ear hearing loss is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's kidney disorder and heart disorder are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, fibromyalgia, and CFS due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's sleep disturbances are found not to be a separate disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment and personnel records, including a lack of complete VA treatment records. The Board will obtain the Veteran’s complete records and schedule him for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to several issues, including obtaining an adequate social and industrial survey, a psychiatric examination addressing PTSD's impact on employment, and updating treatment records. The Veteran’s TDIU claim will be reconsidered with these additional developments.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for prostate gland injuries, infections, hypertrophy, post-operative residuals, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder were previously denied. New evidence has reopened these claims but the service connection is granted only for some of them (acquired psychiatric disorders). The remaining claims remain pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service. The left knee and left shoulder disability claims are remanded as additional development is needed, including obtaining STRs and verifying duty status.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus due to additional evidence being associated with the record.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of service connection for tinnitus is denied. The Board also finds that the Veteran's hypertension claim and defective hearing rating claim are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of a compensable disability within one year of separation and no causal link between service and current hearing loss.