Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board finds that both conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection was denied as the evidence did not show that he had filed a new claim before December 17, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease as a residual of Agent Orange exposure is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders (left and right), left ankle disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, iritis, and tinnitus are related to service.,Service connection is granted for a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders (left and right), left ankle disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, iritis, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus with bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that management of his diabetes required regulation of activities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities, prostate disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, osteopenia, cervical spine disability, neurological impairment of the upper extremities, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded as his prostatitis may be related to his current prostate disability. Additional development is needed regarding whether he has any residual disability from the prostatitis shown in service.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, chronic gastritis with GERD, and hemorrhoids are being remanded as his most recent examinations in August 2017 were inadequate. Additional development is needed to determine the current functional impairment resulting from these disabilities.,

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 are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus may be related to service, but additional evidence is needed for a final determination.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development.

The Veteran's service-connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as both conditions are found to be due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about when the Veteran's tinnitus began. The Veteran is asked to provide a statement clarifying this issue.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The claim for an acquired psychiatric condition was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced in showing that the current condition had its onset during service and is related to acoustic trauma experienced while on active duty.

The Veteran's claim for depression has been reopened and granted.,Claims for bilateral hand condition, lower back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, major depressive disorder, dissociative disorder) have been remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals of his service connection claims for tinnitus, back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability remain pending. The AOJ is required to reissue the March 2018 SOCs to the Veteran and schedule him for new examinations regarding these claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including shoulder conditions, PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disease from asbestos exposure, and low back joint and disc disease.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.