Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral foot condition, tinnitus, and anxiety disorder have been granted service connection. The disability ratings for the bilateral foot condition are set at 20 percent, while tinnitus is granted but no specific rating was assigned. Service connection has also been established for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus in the medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip bursitis, right and left knee arthritis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability. Service connection was denied for residuals of a chest injury.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, unspecified depressive disorder, heart disorder, high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, stroke residuals, deviated nasal septum, and sinusitis has been granted. The claims for service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder), heart disorder, high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, and stroke residuals have not been established.

The Board has remanded the case due to a reduction in the rating for bilateral hearing loss, which affects the appellant's eligibility for TDIU. The appeal period for this reduction decision must be completed before further action can be taken on the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be at least as likely as not incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus to service. New and material evidence has not been received that would raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for tinnitus. The claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability remains denied.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for tinnitus due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection is granted for a cervical spine condition (neck disability) with an effective date of November 30, 2012. Effective dates for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are not established as the Veteran did not file claims for these conditions prior to November 30, 2012.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent throughout the appeal period, effective from March 29, 2008. A TDIU was also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus. However, the issue of service connection for a left knee disability remains pending and must be remanded for further development.

The claims for bilateral ankle, knee, and hearing loss conditions remain denied. The claim for tinnitus was granted due to new evidence submitted after the January 2015 denial.

The Board has granted service connection for a right arm scar and tinnitus. The issue of service connection for a disability manifested by right arm weakness is remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision on tinnitus is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure, while the denial of hearing loss is due to a lack of evidence meeting VA criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a clinician to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for tinnitus and opioid use disorder due to a withdrawal request from the appellant's authorized representative.