Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Veteran's PVD is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptoms, and his headaches are denied due to lack of in-service injury.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board finds the Veteran's left and right hand conditions, including loss of muscular strength and nerve conditions, are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The breathing difficulty claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates has been remanded due to the need for additional development of records, including SSA disability benefits records, mental health records from service, and workers' compensation records. The issues regarding tinnitus, low back disability, PTSD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic headache disability, and psychiatric disability remain on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left eye disability, right eye disability, right-hand disability, and vertigo. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to unresolved issues regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions and need for additional evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuous symptoms since service discharge. The Board also found that the Veteran's testimony regarding onset and continuity of tinnitus was not credible.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to produce unemployability, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches to include migraines have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence of a current disability that can be linked to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has decided that service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the case of bilateral hearing loss needs to be remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as it meets the criteria for direct service connection due to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied an initial rating greater than 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin during his military service and is not related to any noise exposure therein.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination findings. The case is now before the Board again.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure. The appeal is based on direct service connection, not a presumption.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined with the outcome of the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss. Therefore, both issues must be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remands and has therefore remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions in his prior VA examinations. The Veteran should be afforded new VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied both claims.