Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding it at least as likely as not that he experienced tinnitus in service and continues to have symptoms since separation. The decision also grants resumption of VA disability compensation benefits effective November 29, 2007.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is related to the service-connected hypertension, and his high cholesterol does not qualify as a disability for VA purposes. His tinnitus was present for more than one year after separation from service and is not linked to service. The GERD diagnosed in 2000 is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an immune system disorder is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied as it is not related to in-service noise exposure and the Veteran’s current tinnitus began many years after service.,Bilateral hearing loss (right ear) is not shown to be a disability for VA purposes, while left ear hearing loss is noted at entrance but does not show an increase in severity during service.,The issue of entitlement to increased initial rating for right knee chondromalacia patella is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for head injury and brain tumor with residual memory loss, scar, slurred speech and headaches are remanded for additional development due to lack of specific medical examination or diagnosis.,Entitlement to service connection for muscle and joint pain is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that his current condition is related to in-service noise exposure during basic training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied because the new evidence received did not establish a link between his conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The issues of service connection for myotic lung disease, residuals of partial lung removal (secondary to service-connected septal deviation), and a rating in excess of 30 percent for sinusitis with sinus headaches are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted. The Board has remanded the cases for bilateral hearing loss, heart disability (including atrial fibrillation), hypertension, and skin disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of psychophysiological GI reaction, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for coronary artery disease due to insufficient development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a disability for VA compensation purposes.,Tinnitus has been granted as it is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's disability manifested by tingling in the right arm and fingers claim is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,A remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of numbness in the finger-tips of the left hand.

The Veteran's initial schedular rating for tinnitus is denied as it is the highest available.,An extraschedular rating for tinnitus is also denied due to the maximum schedular rating being assigned.,Service connection for hearing loss is not granted because the Veteran does not have hearing impairment for VA purposes.,Effective from November 8, 2012, a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral DDD is granted. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected thoracolumbar spine strain is granted, subject to the rules and regulations governing the payment of VA monetary benefits. The claims for service connection for various conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including private audiograms from his working career. An updated opinion is needed based on this new information.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure. Service connection was denied for tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing its existence during or after service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of an adequate opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran is presumed to have in-service noise exposure as a pilot, but his service records do not contain audiometric testing.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus is denied as the earliest possible effective date is the date the reopened claim was received, which is June 23, 2016.