Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, and back disability have been granted. The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not show the Veteran had these conditions during or after service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and verifying his periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service. The Veteran reported noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection is denied for all four conditions as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and entitlement to TDIU as the Veteran passed away before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied due to lack of current diagnoses or established links to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's Disease, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's tinnitus is considered a chronic condition and presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure during combat. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active military service.

The appeal seeking an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed.,The appeals seeking increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss are dismissed.,New and material evidence having been received, the application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disorder is granted. The appeal seeking service connection for this condition is remanded.,New and material evidence has not been received, the application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a lower back disorder is denied. The appeal seeking service connection for this condition is remanded.,Service connection for a left ankle disorder is denied. The appeal seeking service connection for this condition is remanded.,Service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including hammer toes, hallux valgus, and degenerative arthritis, is denied. The appeal seeking service connection for this condition is remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the Board finds that a remand is necessary due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension) do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service, but concluded that his tinnitus is likely due to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for tinnitus and whether the Appellant has status as a veteran are inextricably intertwined, requiring remand to adjudicate both issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to unclear audiometric data from service, requiring a supplemental opinion.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.