Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability are all granted. The claim for service connection for a left eye disability is dismissed, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in October 2019. The claim for service connection for a right eye disability is also dismissed, with withdrawal of appeal by the Veteran in October 2019. Service connection for low back disability is granted, but remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service-connected bilateral lower extremity cold weather injuries.

The Board has denied service connection for a right hand disability due to lack of current disability. The issues of service connection for left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded as additional VA treatment records may be relevant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hip disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the current disabilities are related to in-service stressors and other factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on credible medical opinions supporting the claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are granted, with a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The acquired psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disorder. The claims will be considered on their merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to deficiencies in the December 2015 VA examination report. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA-contracted examiner or another appropriate medical professional.

The Board denied service connection for recurrent tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military service due to lack of evidence of significant hearing loss in service and no continuous symptoms after separation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during service.

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 Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection of a left knee disability, which was granted in June 2013. The Board denied this request.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the presumption that it is related to active military service.,Service connection is remanded for COPD, as there is insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service or herbicide exposure.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss disability are denied.,The Board finds that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of a bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, migraine headaches (secondary to traumatic brain injury), status-post fracture of the right thumb, and tinnitus.