Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete development. The AOJ must obtain additional evidence, including lay statements corroborating in-service noise exposure and any pertinent post-service treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during or are otherwise related to the Veteran's period of active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to August 3, 2016 and remanded for further evaluation of his TDIU claim from August 3, 2016 to August 16, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his service connection claim for tinnitus was denied. His claim for a compensable rating for tension headaches is also denied. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for psychiatric disabilities and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus and IBS have been granted service connection as they are related to his military service. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with MDD is granted. The application to reopen the claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied. The claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology.,Bilateral hearing loss was not shown for VA purposes, thus the claim is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on credible supporting evidence that the Veteran experienced acoustic trauma in service and has had constant ringing in his ears since then.,The acquired psychiatric disability (likely PTSD) is granted as there is a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor, supported by lay testimony.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining audiometric test results and determining whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is also being remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and military service.

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 acoustic trauma. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received since the January 2011 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the VA examination was not wholly adequate and thus remanding for further development. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, but his bilateral hearing loss remains in dispute.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of her hearing loss, eustachian tube dysfunction, dermatophytosis (toenail fungus), and other conditions.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with various conditions during or since service, including tinnitus, CFS, pericardial effusion, migraine headaches, hearing loss, eustachian tube dysfunction, and toenail fungus. The Board finds that additional evaluations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The issues of increased ratings for various conditions are also remanded.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome, exceed the threshold for 'good health' as defined by VA standards. Therefore, his application for S-DVI is denied.

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

The Veteran's service-connected right total knee replacement, scar residuals of a laceration of the right calf and scar, status post right total knee replacement, and tinnitus have been granted effective February 27, 2013.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are not eligible to be adjudicated due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, and respiratory disability. The Veteran's service connection claims will be remanded to allow for further development.