Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran has been rendered unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities including PTSD, cervical radiculopathy, lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, and tinnitus. The Board grants the TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The issue of service connection for tinnitus secondary to treatment for squamous cell carcinoma is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a respiratory disorder (COPD and emphysema), a skin disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to in-service herbicide-agent exposure.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and tinnitus. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as new and material evidence has been received, and the Board finds that his tinnitus was present during service and has had a continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for various disabilities are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against its onset during active duty or being related to an in-service injury.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with both conditions found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of medical opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to his in-service acoustic trauma. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, Lewy-Body dementia, a neurocognitive disorder (Parkinson's disease), and an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood are all granted. Service connection is established on the basis of herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claim for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened and granted for cataracts due to diabetes mellitus. The Board also found that the Veteran's headache disability is related to his active service, but remanded other issues including sinusitis, emphysema, COPD, gallbladder condition, Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis, acid reflux, stroke residuals, arthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, diabetic retinopathy, tinnitus, hypertension, peripheral vascular/arterial disease (PVD/PAD) of both lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and granted service connection. The left knee disability issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's back and hip disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to the November 2018 NAS report finding sufficient evidence of association with herbicide exposure.,A disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD is remanded.,,

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran during his hearing.,Additional development is required for the following issues: whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for residuals of a neck injury, service connection for sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder and service-connected sinusitis, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), initial rating higher than 10 percent for right shoulder strain and rotator cuff tendonitis, initial rating higher than 10 percent for instability of the left knee, and initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee strain with meniscus repair surgery.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, have precluded him from substantially gainful occupation since May 24, 2013. An earlier effective date of May 24, 2013 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability may have had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to it. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.