Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied, while his claim for tinnitus was granted and a 10% disability rating was assigned.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus and a TDIU prior to January 16, 2013 is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest within one year of discharge from service, nor are they otherwise shown to be caused by service. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and migraine headaches due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate disability, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including depression, PTSD, and anxiety), and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents or in-service stress.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The claim for tinnitus has been granted, but the claim for hearing loss remains remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left foot conditions, as well as his bilateral tinnitus, are related to service. However, further examination is needed for his right ankle condition, left ankle condition, low back condition, left leg pain, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no formal or informal claim was filed prior to April 19, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma. His tinnitus, which he claims is secondary to his hearing loss, is also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, while a 50% rating is granted for PTSD. The TDIU claim is denied.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The Board also found that there was no legal basis for a higher rating for tinnitus and denied an earlier effective date for tinnitus.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus was granted. The claim for left ear hearing loss is now granted, but the claim for tinnitus remains pending as it needs further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since his active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus began during his active service and continues to this day, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination and analysis.