Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, despite acknowledging noise exposure during combat. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with major depressive disorder is now rated at 70% from April 20, 2018 onwards.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as the Veteran does not have a current disability, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or injury.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records indicate exposure to an explosion, but there is no in-service evidence of a threshold shift or treatment for hearing loss.

The Veteran was previously denied TDIU prior to January 25, 2018. Since then, his PTSD symptoms worsened significantly, making it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's Meniere’s Disease was not incurred in or due to his time in service, and the claim is denied.,The Veteran does not have hearing loss in his left ear for VA purposes, and the claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Tinnitus was incurred in and due to the Veteran's time in service, and the claim is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for the thoracolumbar spine condition and right shoulder condition are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the etiology of bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, left ankle condition, tinnitus, and hypertension, are sufficiently severe to inhibit his ability to obtain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of compliance with the February 2018 Board remand.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was denied. The Veteran's service connection claims for spermatocele of the right epididymis and lumbosacral strain were granted.,An effective date earlier than August 18, 2015, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,New evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), and disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. Therefore, these claims are reopened.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, left hand disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, or disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's current bilateral elbow disorder is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of such during service. The claim for reopening is denied.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a left hand disorder. This claim remains denied on the merits.,New and material evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, but these claims remain denied on the merits.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) is related to his service, as there is nexus evidence linking it to service. The claim for reopening is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between current conditions and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to service. However, due to inadequate examination reports from previous VA examinations, a new examination is required.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability related to his active service. The cardiac, hearing loss, and tinnitus claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are as likely as not attributable to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and that any current disabilities were not related to active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his appeals for service connection and ratings for various conditions are dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active service. The Veteran's current hearing loss was not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection for chronic lung disease due to asbestos exposure is also denied as there is no evidence that the condition began during or is otherwise related to service.