Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted, with the Board finding that there is at least as much evidence to support the Veteran’s current DDD of the lumbar spine with associated IVDS and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy being related to his in-service injury. Service connection was also granted for tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection, but the rating for his hearing loss remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and right ear hearing loss disability have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right elbow, left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are all granted as service connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus is also granted as service connected.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left shoulder disabilities have not been service-connected.,Service connection for the spine, knee, hip, and depression conditions has also not been established. The effective dates of these determinations are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus, render him unemployable from June 1, 2015 to June 11, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disorder has been reopened and granted. Tinnitus is found to have had its onset in service. The reduction of the rating for prostate cancer residuals from 100% to 10% was improper, and the 60% rating for coronary artery disease is restored.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as related to service due to noise exposure.,Bilateral knee osteoarthritis is also granted, with the condition being linked to military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development as there appear to be relevant treatment records that may substantiate the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD prior to January 9, 2018. A higher rating is denied. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent beginning January 9, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and type II diabetes mellitus were not shown to have had their onset during service or be otherwise related to service.,Service connection for the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that resulted in current hearing loss. The Board found that the Veteran's assertions regarding noise exposure during service are not credible, and his claim based on presumptive service connection was also denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that resulted in current tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran's assertions regarding noise exposure during service are not credible, and his claim based on presumptive service connection was also denied.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that resulted in current diabetes. The Board found that the Veteran's claims based on Agent Orange exposure were not supported by available evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder manifests in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was granted. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were reopened due to new evidence received since the prior denial in November 1990.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD with sleep problems is denied, and service connection is granted for a back disability and tinnitus. The issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for various conditions have been denied. The claims of service connection for a back condition, cervical spine condition, tinnitus, and depression are all denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a July 2015 VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between his reported tinnitus and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not meet the auditory threshold criteria for a disability.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted as his reported symptoms are found to be related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for right hand condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims for low back condition and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are attributable to active service.,For the hip injury claim, increased ratings for right upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, and increased rating for tension headaches, a new examination is required.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of audiometric evaluation at separation from service, and because the VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the tinnitus.