Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus, finding that it did not have its onset during service and was not caused by his service.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a pre-decisional error.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to hazardous noise exposure during service.,The Veteran's bladder cancer is related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to procedural errors, including a missing audiometric test from May 17, 2019. The Veteran's representative challenged the adequacy of the April 2018 VA examination and requested an updated opinion based on more recent studies.

The Veteran meets the requirements for SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities, including post-traumatic stress disorder and multiple peripheral neuropathies. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's cut/scar of the head is granted service connection as it is linked to an in-service injury. However, his tinnitus does not have a link to service and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is at least as likely as not due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was denied as the medical evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran’s current conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the claim of bilateral hearing loss due to lack of a medical nexus opinion based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as they are likely related to acoustic trauma during service.,The Veteran's left shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and PTSD disorders are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran is also seeking a higher rating for tinnitus, which the Board has remanded.,The Veteran’s service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated based on their severity as per VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service noise exposure and his current diagnosis of tinnitus are credible enough to grant him the benefit of doubt.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a causal relationship between in-service noise exposure and either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a bilateral ankle disorder, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding these claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for effective dates earlier than June 15, 2015 for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psoriasis due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inadequacy of a VA examination and incomplete medical records. The Board will determine if the Veteran can function in an occupational environment considering all his service-connected disabilities, including anxiety, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from August 30, 2013 to September 19, 2017 was denied.,The Veteran's entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss since September 20, 2017 was also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, and no higher rating can be granted.,Service connection for OSA has been established based on evidence showing that it likely began during service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and tinnitus, finding that the evidence supports a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone or the combined effects of all service-connected conditions, do not render him unemployable for the period prior to March 31, 2017. The Board finds that TDIU is not warranted in this case.