Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided are inadequate for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's disabilities may be related to his military noise exposure, but further medical examination is needed to establish a clear link between these conditions and his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and MDD.

The Board denied the reopening of a service connection claim for tinnitus because no new and material evidence was submitted, despite receiving additional VA audiological examination reports, VA treatment records, and lay statements.

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 Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus. The case is being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his military service. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service due to credible lay testimony of constant tinnitus since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to her service, and therefore grants her claim for service connection.

Service connection is granted for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and Hepatitis C.,Service connection is denied for elevated liver enzymes as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal because a timely notice of disagreement was not filed within one year from the December 2014 rating decision.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, COPD, emphysema, sleep apnea, hypertension, skin condition, headaches, memory loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals are now pending with VA for further review.

The Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria, including due to non-service-connected Parkinson's Disease.

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

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the November 2007 rating decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and were not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology. The Board found that the Veteran’s hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including reported inservice noise exposure.,The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 9440 due to symptoms such as flattened affect, difficulty understanding complex commands, impairment of short and long-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective relationships.

Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss based on in-service noise exposure.,Service connection is granted for chest pain, head injury, knee pain, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), headaches (due to treatment for PFB), hypertension, and dizziness secondary to service-connected tinnitus.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for tinnitus and a bladder problem due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has a long history of employment and the medical evidence does not indicate that his conditions prevent him from performing any type of work.