Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the appeal of the appellant's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it was shown to be present within a year of separation from service. Service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee are denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no continuity of symptomatology post-service. Service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine is also denied.

Service connection for a right ankle disability, bilateral foot disability (including pes planus and/or right foot plantar fasciitis), and tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of right foot plantar fasciitis, bilateral pes planus, and tinnitus are related to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient reasoning in the VA examination report.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current condition is related to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's tinnitus is denied as there was no in-service injury or disease, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.,Service connection for a respiratory disability manifested by shortness of breath is remanded due to the presence of additional service treatment records that may affect the VA examiner’s opinion.,The right knee disability is remanded as it may be aggravated by service.

The Veteran's COPD and bladder cancer are not related to service, as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board finds that the Veteran has not provided sufficient medical evidence to support a direct relationship between his current disabilities and service.,PTSD was granted based on the Veteran's reported stressors in Vietnam, with the VA psychiatrist confirming the diagnosis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied both claims. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied because there is no evidence that it began during or was caused by his military service.,However, the claim for tinnitus was granted as the Board found reasonable doubt in favor of a link between the Veteran's tinnitus and noise exposure during service.

The Board denied DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, concluding that fatigue from treatment for prostate cancer did not substantially or materially contribute to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. Right, tinnitus, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The decision does not address left ear hearing loss or bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and potential private treatment records. A VA examination is also required for these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus, with the condition being presumed due to exposure to noise during active duty.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus may be related to service exposure, but more evidence is needed for a definitive determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding of regular aid and attendance or permanent housebound status solely as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined disability ratings of 80 percent.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted, with the Board finding that his symptoms are related to service.

Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 0 percent for onychomycosis was denied, and the case is remanded for further development regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability linked to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.