Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the mandates of the September 2017 remand order and has therefore ordered a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadquate development of evidence. The Veteran must provide a clarifying lay statement explaining his symptom onset, and VA will obtain an addendum opinion or new examination if necessary.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, arthritis of the right shoulder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been denied. His claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has also been denied. The effective date for his award of service connection for PTSD is set at November 16, 2017. The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if there are any additional periods of Reserve service that need to be verified, and to obtain VA examinations to address the etiology of the low back disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's non-attorney representative submitted argument suggesting that there could be ongoing damage to the cochlear hairs and nerves manifesting only over time, which was not addressed by the VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to his military service. The claim for tinnitus remains denied as there is no nexus between the condition and service. The claim for reopening of the right ankle disability was granted due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was denied as he is not in need of such assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertensive vascular disease due to potential service connection issues related to periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in his U.S. Army Reserves.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employment capacity. The Veteran is seeking a TDIU, and an additional VA examination is needed to assess this.

The Veteran's tinnitus symptoms began during his active service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition based on credible testimony from the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements and the absence of contemporaneous medical evidence regarding tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), tinnitus, sinusitis, and sleep disturbances must be remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection and initial disability ratings for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss due to a withdrawal request by the Veteran.