Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the evidence supported his claim of in-service noise exposure and persistent symptoms since service.,A VA hearing loss examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has current hearing loss, which may be related to service. He testified that he experienced hearing loss during service and since then.,The Veteran's headaches were remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology. The Veteran testified that his symptoms began in service and have persisted.,A VA examination is needed to assess the nature and cause of any right shoulder disability, including pain. The Veteran testified about an injury during boot camp which he avoided seeking treatment for fear of retribution.,The Veteran's right knee disability was remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology. He testified that his duties as an infantryman put stress on his knees and led to current pain.,A new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability, including any flare-ups requiring bedrest.

The Veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of VA funds due to his mental health issues and history of hospitalizations.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is dismissed as moot because he has already been receiving a 100% rating for his service-connected bilateral progressive cone dystrophy and other disabilities, which qualifies him for special monthly compensation (SMC) under Section 1114(p). An award of TDIU would not provide the Veteran with additional SMC benefits.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected, but the rating for his hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure as a boiler room technician.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD due to MST and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found credible the Veteran's reports of military sexual assault and noise exposure, leading to service connection for both conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. The remaining claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, respiratory disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the etiology of these conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records, conduct a VA examination, and provide an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis as aggravated by service-connected knee disabilities. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and coronary artery disease, to include as due to herbicide exposure. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his in-service noise exposure, and the Board finds that service connection for tinnitus cannot be granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be as likely as not the result of exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty, and service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, a pulmonary disorder to include COPD, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The issue of service connection for tinnitus is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the onset of his tinnitus did not occur during or within one year after service, and it is less likely than not related to in-service acoustic trauma.

Service connection is denied for tinnitus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, and back disorder.,The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for depression due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in previous decisions and the need for further development regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he is able to secure and follow substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.