Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus and depression disorder are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for defective vision, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for PTSD effective October 27, 2003. Other claims remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and hypertension. The Veteran is seeking service connection for tinnitus, which may be granted based on lay evidence of in-service noise exposure and continuous symptoms since service. For his cardiovascular disability claim, additional development is needed to determine if he was exposed to herbicides during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's exposure to hazardous noise during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no current diagnosis of a disability. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as the evidence supports that it had its onset during service.

The Veteran's broken teeth or loss of teeth claim is granted, but service connection is denied. Hearing loss and tinnitus claims are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is dismissed as he withdrew his claim prior to the promulgation of a decision.,The claim to reopen the low back disability was denied because no new and material evidence was presented, and the Board found that the evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Tinnitus is granted as service connection is established due to acoustic trauma during active service.,GERD is granted as service connection is established based on symptoms in-service and continuity of symptoms since service.,Left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.,Rash on the hands and arms is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,Headaches are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has found that further development is needed to fulfill its duties under the VCAA, including obtaining SSA records related to the Veteran's disability benefits application. The claims for service connection are remanded and will be reconsidered after any additional evidence is obtained.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and right hip conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, and blood pressure condition. The Veteran's cholesterol condition is not considered a chronic disability warranting VA benefits.

The Board has granted the appellant's applications to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for tinnitus and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD with depression and anxiety. Service connection is also granted for these conditions. The appeals regarding left shoulder disability and gynecomastia are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right eye injury, bilateral foot plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, abnormal toenail growth, esophageal disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, chloracne of the arm and neck, heart disease (to include coronary artery disease), and hypertension. The claims are remanded due to incomplete service records and need further review.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service acoustic trauma. However, it denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence, but it remains denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found no current diagnosis of a left knee disability or bilateral hearing loss, and concluded that the Veteran's tinnitus was not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, tinnitus, and initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure during combat.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus were denied, while his claim for service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety, depressed mood, and alcohol use disorder (claimed as PTSD) was remanded. The decision does not address service connection for hearing loss in the right ear.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral pes planus from November 4, 2008 to September 29, 2015 is denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to September 17, 2010.

The Veteran's back condition and tinnitus are not service-connected, but he was granted service connection for IHD and DMII as due to herbicide exposure.,His hearing loss is not rated compensably.