Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, while her back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are not. The claims for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, migraines (secondary), and gastroesophageal or gastrointestinal disorders are remanded.,Service connection for a back disability is denied due to lack of credible evidence linking the condition to service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and secondary service connection for migraines and gastroesophageal or gastrointestinal disorders are also remanded.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease and related conditions were granted service connection, but the Board denied a higher evaluation as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential issues with the current evidence. The right ear hearing loss case is denied as it did not worsen during service.

The claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for further medical development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

An initial 50 percent rating, but no higher, for adjustment disorder with anxiety is granted. Other claims are denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran’s hearing loss, including whether it was aggravated by service or related to service. Additionally, the RO should attempt to secure any additional service treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for an appropriate examination and to obtain updated VA treatment records regarding his service-connected disabilities, including acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for low back disability and cervical spine disorder are both denied.,Service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, intestinal issue, right hand disability, and left hand disability are all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis, asthma and associated COPD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression), and obstructive sleep apnea. The remaining issues of service connection for sensorineural bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a prostate disability due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's National Guard service records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, and therefore he does not qualify for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his active duty service, including noise exposure. The onset of both conditions occurred decades after separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss as new evidence submitted after the January 2014 rating decision was not relevant to these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment prior to May 12, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist violation. The AOJ must obtain and associate with the record any relevant private and military base treatment records.