Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board found that the withholding of drill pay and termination of benefits for training days in fiscal years 2009 through 2012 was proper, as it did not violate the prohibition on concurrent receipt of active service pay and VA disability compensation.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis due to new and material evidence. The claim for erectile dysfunction remains denied as there is no direct or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic retinopathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II due to unresolved medical questions. The Veteran's claims are not supported by evidence that his current conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and in-service noise exposure, as well as whether tinnitus aggravates the hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to military noise exposure.,Service connection was also granted for lumbar spondylosis (claimed as back pain), with the Board noting conflicting medical opinions but finding a nexus based on the Veteran's history of heavy lifting during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx are granted as service connected due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability has been reopened, but the Board finds that further development is needed as there are no VA examinations or opinions regarding her bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hip disability. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, schedule the Veteran for appropriate medical examinations, and provide an opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was received on May 14, 2009. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the cases for bilateral knee, back, and hip disabilities, as well as pes planus and hallux valgus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including tension headaches and multiple shoulder injuries, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current education, experience, and skills render him suitable for certain positions. However, due to his worsening PTSD, which is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, he may not be able to perform these jobs effectively. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records and conduct further evaluations to determine if the Veteran can pursue an advanced degree or change his career path.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to incomplete VA examinations and lack of current symptomatology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date earlier than April 29, 2014 for the grant of service connection for traumatic painful scars of the right index finger and thumb. The Board has determined that this claim was not filed prior to January 23, 2013.,The Veteran is also seeking TDIU since August 22, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to further development being necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to additional development needed.,Specifically, the Board will conduct further evidentiary development on these issues.