Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has determined that the VA audiological examinations are inadequate to decide the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to noise exposure during active service. The Veteran's 1962 induction audiogram results and 1966 separation audiogram results were reported under the ASA scale, which is not applicable after July 1966 when VA adopted the ISO standard. Therefore, an addendum medical opinion is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was received on July 28, 2011 and denied in a July 2013 rating decision. The Board granted the claim with an effective date of July 25, 2013 but determined that the earlier effective date should be July 28, 2011 based on the Veteran's continuous prosecution of his claim.

Service connection for headaches is granted, and the Veteran's TDIU determination, effective date for service connection of post-surgical spine scar, left elbow scar, and diabetes mellitus are all granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the case to determine if a compensable rating should be assigned for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability is rated at the highest possible level (10%) and no additional compensable manifestations are found.,The Veteran’s right hip bursitis disabilities are remanded for further examination to assess current severity with attention to recent treatment records and lay statements regarding functional loss due to pain, fatigue, weakness, lack of endurance, incoordination, and flare-ups.,The Veteran’s limited flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation due to right hip bursitis are remanded for further examination to assess current severity with attention to recent treatment records and lay statements regarding functional loss due to pain, fatigue, weakness, lack of endurance, incoordination, and flare-ups.,The Veteran’s limited abduction, adduction, and rotation due to right hip bursitis is remanded for further examination to assess current severity with attention to recent treatment records and lay statements regarding functional loss due to pain, fatigue, weakness, lack of endurance, incoordination, and flare-ups.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is remanded for further examination to assess current severity with attention to recent treatment records and lay statements regarding functional loss due to pain, fatigue, weakness, lack of endurance, incoordination, and flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted. The claims for right and left ankle disabilities are denied, as there is no evidence of current disability related to service. The claim for dental condition is denied due to lack of trauma.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, were denied. The Board found that the schedular ratings adequately reflected the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board denied reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disability, chronic kidney disease, hydronephrosis as a residual of UPJ obstruction, and aseptic meningitis. The Veteran's contentions were not supported by new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities; bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus; PTSD; and an eye disability. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, which was not previously addressed.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of a current disability. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the residuals of inactive cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis, including any cervical spine conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in a May 2019 statement.,The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee condition and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, and his bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.