Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to deficiencies in the May 2018 VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right ear hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus are all granted as service-connected.,As for the remaining conditions (asbestosis, prostate cancer, inguinal hernia, and urinary tract infection), they are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the diabetes mellitus claim, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any other condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the VA audiology examination report is inadequate to decide the appeal and requires a remand for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back injury, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart condition, TBI, and PTSD. The claims were not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted, but the initial ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is granted, while claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), heart disorder, osteopenia, cervical spine (neck) disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined whether new evidence is sufficient to grant these claims. The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and headaches, while his claims for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, acid reflux (secondary to PTSD), and erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD) are still pending.,The Veteran's low back condition claim remains denied as there is no new evidence provided that relates the current disability to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms are credible and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as effective dates prior to January 24, 2014. The Board has remanded the case due to a challenge of clear and unmistakable error in the January 1971 rating decision denying service connection for hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the right ankle disability and tinnitus were rated appropriately, with a separate rating granted for painful scars. The Board found no basis to grant higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of Parkinson's disease, PTSD, Tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Veteran does not have qualifying wartime service for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected. The case for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus, which he reported as being present since service, is at least in equipoise with his claim and granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for PTSD. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, with the Veteran finding in favor due to the lack of treatment records during service but post-service medical evidence linking his current conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been reopened, and the claims are granted. The decision on whether new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is in favor of reopening the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran first experienced it during his active duty military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of TBI are denied as the earliest effective date is February 10, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted in part. Service connection has been established for left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as cervical spondylosis and stenosis), lumbar spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, peripheral vestibular disorder, dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, headache condition, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection has been reopened for alcoholism and drug abuse. Other claims have been denied.