Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with no specific rating assigned and effective date not specified.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic back symptoms in service or within one year after separation from active duty, and concluded that the current low back disability is not related to service. For hearing loss and tinnitus, the Board noted that the earliest clinical diagnosis was over 40 years post-service, and the VA examiner opined against a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran had a preexisting hearing loss disability at entry into service but developed it during active duty. The tinnitus is also found to be related to the hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left and right shoulder disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's symptoms have been linked to in-service noise exposure, but further evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are presumed to have been incurred in service due to continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, a lung disability to include COPD and emphysema, and transient ischemic attack. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of onset in service and post-service continuity, and concluding that the current diagnosis of tinnitus is less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to missing records from the Moncrief Army Medical Center. Additionally, an SOC is needed on issues of increased ratings for knee conditions, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and service connection for hammertoes, sleep apnea, toe fungus, sinusitis, rhinitis, hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, left forearm disability, right shoulder disability, and right forearm disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and an opinion regarding whether the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically his ACDUTRA period.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on October 29, 2015 were reimbursed because the treatment was necessary due to an emergency involving severe hand pain that prevented him from using his hand. The VA facilities were not feasibly available for immediate care.

Service connection is granted for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for residuals of traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection, but his peripheral neuropathy was remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no in-service onset or relationship to service. Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and supplemental opinions from a VA audiologist.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that they are related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is granted based on a presumptive basis due to the Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.