Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and associated complications such as diabetic nephropathy, anxiety disorder, right Charcot foot, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, skin ulcer, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, rendered him unable to secure or retain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that the claims for sleep apnea and TDIU are inextricably intertwined, so both need to be remanded. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim will require a medical opinion on its etiology, including whether it is related to service-connected tinnitus or hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is causally related to noise exposure during his active service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty due to noise exposure.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of left and right ankle disabilities, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues were withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney cancer, sleep apnea, hypertension, and adrenal gland condition. The appeals were based on direct evidence and not on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not making reasonable efforts to obtain relevant records from Dr. T. of Southwestern Ear, Nose, & Throat Associates (SENTA).

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, service connection for a psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), and TDIU due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The case will be referred back to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of extraschedular evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus disability had its onset during active duty due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus had its onset in service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and back conditions, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran not attending a VA examination for tinnitus, and it is unclear if he was notified of the examinations. The Veteran should be given another opportunity to report for a VA examination with regard to this appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus and credible lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure, leading to an award of service connection. For his right knee disability, the Board finds the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service. The Board finds that there is no positive nexus opinion relating the Veteran’s tinnitus to a period of active service, but resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran and grants service connection for tinnitus. Service connection for head trauma and nose injury are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and both knees. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to the inextricably intertwined issues of service connection and whether the Appellant has status as a veteran for VA purposes. The AOJ is instructed to request specific details from the Appellant regarding his claimed disabilities and their potential relationship to his military service, including which periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA he believes are relevant.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claim for service connection of various conditions was not filed within one year of his daughters' 18th birthdays, and thus an earlier effective date could not be granted.