Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back condition, right foot/ankle condition, left foot/ankle condition, and chest/heart condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, major depressive disorder with symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, bipolar disorder, ADHD), back disorders (including arthritis), left knee disorders (including arthritis), right knee disorders (including arthritis), migraines, and tinnitus have all been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.

The Board dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flatfeet, bilateral ankle disability, tinnitus, perforation of the right ear drum, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and headaches have been granted. The claim for service connection for lumbar spondylosis (residuals, low back strain) has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claims for residuals of head injury, headaches, balance problems, and cognitive problems due to an in-service blow to the back of the head.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the current disabilities had their onset during service or were related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is remanded due to insufficient evidence of his functional and work-related capabilities during the period from January 27, 2009, to January 26, 2010. The AOJ must obtain missing records and provide a VA examiner with relevant information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus was granted. Claims for fibromyalgia, CFS, respiratory disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, skin disorder, lumbosacral strain, and TBI were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, back disability, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, shoulder and hip disabilities, right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, anxiety, depression, and PTSD were not shown as chronic in service or related to a service-connected disability. The Board found the Veteran's statements regarding these conditions being related to his military service to be speculative.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were first diagnosed 30 years after separation from service and are not considered to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus had its onset during service and is related to his exposure to noise during that time. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The case has been remanded for further rating consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to a lack of evidence showing a diagnosis prior to death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding the relationship between his current conditions and active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a fatigue-related disability, including chronic fatigue syndrome and fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness. The decision found that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure causing tinnitus and that the Veteran’s symptoms were better explained by his pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to noise exposure during military service. The Veteran's reported history of noise exposure is considered, along with his self-reported onset of symptoms.