Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during service. Service connection was denied for left cochleovestibular dysfunction (claimed as vertigo) as secondary to bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to missing medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is granted. The rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder in sustained full remission prior to November 18, 2018, remains at 70 percent. A TDIU is granted due to PTSD beginning from November 18, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected vertigo. Effective dates and initial ratings for tinnitus associated with vertigo are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in at least relative equipoise as to whether these conditions began in service and have continued since. The Veteran's consistent reports of continuity of symptomatology are considered.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service connected.,Service connection is also granted for left shoulder, right shoulder, left elbow, right elbow, bilateral wrist, left hip, and right hip disabilities. However, the Board has not provided a VA examination to determine whether these conditions are related to in-service motorcycle accident injuries.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new medical evidence submitted after the final denial. However, these claims are still pending as they have not been remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for the Veteran's back condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, which first manifested in service and is attributable to noise exposure during his military service, meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is aggravated by his service-connected right hip, PTSD, and tinnitus disabilities. The VA must obtain updated treatment records and provide a medical opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded, while the claim for tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD, heart condition, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to incomplete records and potential exposure to environmental chemicals during service.

The Board has determined that the VA Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Disability Benefits Questionnaire from August 2017 is inadequate, and a new opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his thoracolumbar spine condition was remanded. His need for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was also remanded due to the lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted. The claim for right ear hearing loss is being remanded to consider new evidence.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss will be reconsidered based on the additional VA audiological examination report submitted since the May 2016 SOC.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus have been denied. The denial is due to the inability to schedule a VA examination due to the Veteran's incarceration.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence, particularly regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner regarding the relationship between the conditions and service.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his in-service noise exposure.