Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on four conditions (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure) have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status, as determined by VA examination. The Board finds that his non-service connected COPD is the primary cause of these needs.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The issues of service connection for arthritis of the spine, right ankle condition, and right hip condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine strain prior to June 17, 2016.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected because it was incurred in and due to his time in service, specifically from exposure to noise during his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition (including post-traumatic stress disorder) is found to be related to in-service stressors.,There is no current diagnosis of vertigo, so the claim must be denied.,The right shoulder disability and hepatitis C are not service-connected due to lack of evidence indicating a connection to service.,Headaches are not service-connected as there is no indication that they were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The decision is based on direct service connection due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus should be remanded due to incomplete records, inconsistency in the Veteran's reports, and lack of a diagnosis or opinion regarding etiology.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened and granted. Service connection is established for major depressive disorder, hypertension secondary to major depressive disorder, and psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder).

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with esophageal stricture and eosinophilic esophagitis, and chronic lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file, and the Board is unable to make a determination without an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as the earliest effective dates that can be assigned are September 24, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as he engaged in substantially gainful employment prior to December 28, 2013.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, while his back disorder is denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is denied a higher rating for tinnitus and hearing loss, but TDIU from April 1, 2011 to April 12, 2012 is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus and PTSD have been dismissed due to their death.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus associated with the Veteran's hearing loss. The decision is based on credible testimony from the Veteran regarding his in-service exposure to loud noises without protection, which led to current hearing loss and tinnitus.

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