Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 1, 2016 for adding his spouse and two minor children as dependents to his award of Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation. The decision was based on the fact that proof of dependent status was not received within one year of notification of the May 2004 rating action.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for anxiety disorder was granted. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability were granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection of chronic headache disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (optic neuropathy), sleep condition, hypertension, and cirrhosis of the liver have all been denied. The Veteran's PTSD claim was also denied prior to January 27, 2016, and from that date onwards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, right foot disorder, multiple body trauma, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep disorder, and anxiety disorder. The evidence submitted did not provide new or material information to support these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, do not render him unemployable. The Board denied his claim for a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it was not shown to be related to active duty service.,Tinnitus was incurred during active duty service and has been present since then.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it was not shown to be related to active duty service.,Tinnitus was incurred during active duty service and has been ongoing since then.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, which is the highest available under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for tinnitus must be denied.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was determined to be January 7, 2016, and earlier dates are not warranted.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is warranted based on additional evidence received since the last rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the evidence showing his disabilities impact his ability to work in physical occupations.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were dismissed due to his death prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disorder, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of low back disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and other conditions have been denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,Service connection has not been established for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be a result of in-service acoustic trauma and was present during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for less than ten years immediately preceding his death. Therefore, the criteria for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are not met.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including a nervous disorder), hypertension, Hepatitis C, and substance abuse. The cases are remanded for further development.