Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current tinnitus and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not permanent and total as of September 20, 2016. Therefore, the effective date for her Dependent's Education Assistance (DEA) benefits cannot be earlier than September 20, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran is presumed to have developed this condition during her military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a finally denied claim of service connection for hearing loss is granted. The Board finds the evidence sufficient to raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, as it provides evidence of current disability and causation which was absent at the time of the prior denial. Service connection for tinnitus remains remanded.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, hypertension, and low back disability. The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for service connection of generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his claims for OSA, GERD, a respiratory disability, and a sinus disability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee degenerative changes, trigger finger in multiple fingers on his left hand, carpal tunnel syndrome in his left wrist, left wrist pain, and tinnitus. The reasons are that VA needs to obtain relevant medical records, provide new VA examinations or opinions regarding these conditions, and consider the Veteran's lay statements about his military service.

Your appeals for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and persisted after service until his death, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD are all granted as service-connected. The higher initial rating for coronary artery disease is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for a right foot disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but both conditions are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, hearing loss, TBI, and headaches, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions precluded him from securing such employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral heel spurs, bilateral tinea pedis, chronic sinus disorder, OSA, hemorrhoids, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and nonservice-connected pension claims have been dismissed.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim has been granted.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) claim has been granted.,The following issues are remanded: service connection for a vision disability, vertigo, heart condition, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left inguinal hernia due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

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

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development, including obtaining SSA disability records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, while the back condition is remanded for further examination.