Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of credible evidence showing that his pre-existing back disability was aggravated by active duty service. The decision also noted remanded issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

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

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s PTSD, Headache Syndrome, Degenerative Disc Disease with Degenerative Arthritis of the Thoracolumbar Spine, and Tinnitus are currently rated appropriately.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted, but the claim for sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements regarding exposure to noise during service and persistence of symptoms.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of July 17, 2002 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding questions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 5, 2014 for the award of a 10 percent evaluation for a residual laceration scar above right eye were denied.,The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 5, 2014 for the grant of service connection for right eye ptosis and tinnitus were also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted as of June 17, 2016 due to marginal employment. Prior to that date, his income was above the poverty level and he had been employed full-time.

The Board has remanded the cases due to an inadequate August 2017 VA opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is returned for further development, including obtaining a new addendum opinion from the same or another examiner.

The Board has deferred the decision on an earlier effective date for tinnitus as it is inextricably intertwined with a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in previous rating decisions. The CUE claims have been referred to the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed tinnitus.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the issue of initial disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for tinnitus, eye disorder, hypotension, heart disorder, and hemorrhoids.,Service connection is denied for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and prostate disorder as there are no current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remains at noncompensable levels. The claim for service connection of sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no medical evidence establishing a link between his current tinnitus and military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, and a sleep disorder are granted. The low back disability claim is remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in evaluating evidence and not considering all service-connected disabilities when determining TDIU. The Veteran's PTSD, along with other service-connected conditions, will need further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, recurrent tinnitus, and headaches due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.