Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied, but his claims for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder (general anxiety disorder and depressive disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, and headaches were all granted.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (general anxiety disorder and depressive disorder) based on a direct relationship to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims require additional examination to determine their etiology, as well as remanding for further examinations regarding his hip condition, bilateral knee conditions, and left arm condition. The back condition claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, colon cancer, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been granted. The appeal is remanded for further examination regarding right ankle disability, gout, and bowel disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to July 25, 2016 was denied as he was not unemployable during that period.

The Veteran's right hip, left hip, tinnitus, and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability are all granted.

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

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as a result of exposure to herbicides is denied.,Secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremities due to diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip injury was denied in September 1948, and the Board finds that this decision is not clearly erroneous.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it was not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period and did not manifest to a compensable degree. The Veteran's MOS in the Navy was an offset printer with a low probability of noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology, specifically related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to be related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the applicable presumptive periods. The Veteran's chronic ingrown toenail issue remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that both conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to his military service, as there was no evidence of symptoms within one year of separation from service. The Board determined that the weight of the competent evidence did not attribute the disabilities to active duty.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise related to active duty service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation.,For TDIU, the Veteran meets the schedular threshold requirement with multiple service-connected disabilities. However, he was found to be capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his education, special training, and previous work experience.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was received on February 22, 2017. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the earliest possible date is February 22, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active duty and are related to his military occupation as a motor transportation operator.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service acoustic trauma.