Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral shoulder and knee disorders and tinnitus. The claims for these conditions are not currently resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as he has experience in a sedentary occupation like customer service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not service-connected as they were not present during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of a nexus to military noise exposure.,Hypertension was not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was related to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's current hypertension is attributed to his smoking habit, age, and lack of exercise.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are directly related to his experiences in Vietnam. Service connection for tinnitus was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg pain, left leg pain, and pityriasis rosea have been granted. The claim for tinnitus as secondary to service-connected hearing loss disability has also been granted.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current diagnosis or etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at noncompensable (0%) and tinnitus is rated at 10%.,The residuals of a right inguinal hernia are rated at noncompensable (0%).,The scar from the right inguinal hernia surgery is rated at noncompensable (0%).,All three issues have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and remands for further examination of his bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for a new VA examination to be conducted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, macular scars, rheumatoid arthritis, osteopenia, and a bilateral knee condition due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further examination on the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, chronic otitis media, and tinnitus as they are related to active duty service. Further development is needed to obtain etiological opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The case is REMANDED for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of her migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as there was no evidence that the condition had its onset during active duty or was related to military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are related to his in-service experiences.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes) is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and throat condition are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for service connection for endolymphatic hydrops (vertigo) with tinnitus and sensorineural deafness of the left ear, which was denied in a March 10, 1995 rating decision. The Board has determined that this matter must be returned to the AOJ for initial consideration under all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and an extraschedular rating for tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a hearing loss disability during active service or within one year of separation, and her current hearing loss is unrelated to service. For tinnitus, the Board noted that the 10 percent evaluation already accounts for its disruptive nature.