Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and were not causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted service connection. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The VA will provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been dismissed as the issues were withdrawn by the Veteran's authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence of constant, chronic pain since service. The initial ratings for non-traumatic compartment syndrome of the right and left lower extremities are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been denied as the condition is already at its maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus has also been denied, as there was no prior claim within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint and tinnitus disorders have been denied as the evidence does not support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and further development of the claims. The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, tinnitus, hyperacusis, anxiety disorder, and erectile dysfunction are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the evidence being in equipoise. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied because the Veteran was not evaluated as totally disabled for a continuous period of at least 10 years immediately preceding death. The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

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

The Board denied service connection for back pain, right knee disability, tinnitus, and headaches as the evidence did not support a relationship to service.

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

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus due to new and material evidence received since the final December 2012 rating decision. The Board also found that the Veteran's symptoms of tinnitus began during service and have been continuous since service separation, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these determinations.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete medical records and unverified in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea due to additional evidence being added to the record after the last statement of the case.