Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, which are rated at 60 percent combined, prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. Bilateral hearing loss was found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while tinnitus is considered secondary to the established bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including thoracic herniated disc, spinal stenosis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, a closed head injury, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder with depression), all of which were determined to be not attributable to the appellant's period of active duty for training.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a perforated ear drum, and tinnitus due to unresolved medical questions. The Veteran's claims are not supported by competent evidence establishing a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction. The decision concluded that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military noise exposure, and his diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities to avoid hypoglycemic episodes.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient examination results and conflicting opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2, thyroid disorder, hypertension, low back disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, headaches, vertigo, and tinnitus due to potential exposure to herbicides during service.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on a direct basis as they are not presumed diseases related to military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The right leg and left knee issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the Veteran did not appear for a VA examination.

The Veteran's bone cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease are not considered to have begun during service or be related to any in-service injury or disease.,There is no evidence of a present diagnosis of liver cancer or kidney cancer prior to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for left-ear hearing loss and tinnitus are also granted.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for a TBI and initial ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 70 percent. Initial ratings for his shoulder strains, wrist tendonitis, little finger strain, lumbar degenerative joint disease, knee patellofemoral syndrome, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, and tinnitus are denied.

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on tinnitus, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including a major depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicide agents and determine if any of the claimed conditions are related to such exposure. The issues will be reviewed again after this verification.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board has also remanded the issues of systemic joint, thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, peripheral vestibular, scars, hypertension, and migraine headaches disabilities, as well as acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD).

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU grant.

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