Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to service due to normal audiometric results at separation from active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete service records. The Veteran's testimony indicates he was injured during active duty training, but the service personnel records are missing.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient examination findings and inadequate rationale in the previous VA opinions.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues regarding tinnitus, hearing loss, and PTSD has been dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient information on the occupational impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated treatment records and opinions from a clinician regarding the impact of her conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied an earlier effective date for PTSD. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, headaches, left knee disability, right knee disability, and a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 2, 2015 for PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as service connection for Meniere’s syndrome, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's periods of active service are considered, including the conversion between ASA and ISO standards.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected lung disorder did not contribute to his death from hemolytic uremic syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, right knee disorder, headache disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently bedridden, thus he is denied special monthly compensation based on housebound status or permanent need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete development. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is denied, and his other claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential inconsistencies in medical opinions regarding the onset of hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for PTSD, residuals of a right arm fracture, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for left knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not related to his active service and did not manifest within one year after separation from active service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, but it is not considered a presumptive condition. The Board found no evidence that the diabetes caused by exposure to contaminated water was related to his active service.,The Veteran's right leg amputation is not causally or etiologically related to his service-connected cellulitis and is presumed due to his diabetes mellitus, which is also presumed due to Camp Lejeune exposure. The Board found no evidence that the amputation was caused by cellulitis.,The Veteran's hypertension is not considered a presumptive condition based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of a concussion, tinnitus, right gastrocnemius muscle tear, pes planus, and TDIU due to issues with notification and development.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was denied as his conditions do not render him helpless enough to require such assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a suitably qualified clinician to address whether these conditions are related to service or any incident therein.