Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diarrhea of uncertain etiology due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is advised that failure to report for these examinations could result in denial of his claims.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has awarded a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied an earlier effective date prior to May 28, 2014. The case is being remanded for the Director of VA's Compensation Service to determine if the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep condition is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of bipolar disorder is granted and the effective date is July 12, 2013.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service exposure, with the doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that the Veteran did not have a current disability for these conditions and that there was no causal relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of an adequate examination. The Veteran is presumed to have experienced in-service noise exposure, but his current hearing loss may not be directly linked to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to noise in service is related to his current condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his hearing loss claim is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left knee disability and right knee disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 1, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with a 50% rating for migraine headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that new evidence was not presented to warrant readjudicating the claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board concluded there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss sufficient for VA purposes at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim. Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on the Veteran's credible statements and service treatment records indicating onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted. Service connection was also granted for bilateral hand neuropathy, but the issue of service connection due to an undiagnosed illness is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and no causal relationship between his military service and his claimed condition.

The Board has determined that the evidence is evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has continued since service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to missing or destroyed service records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his service, including in-service acoustic trauma and noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.