Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and the Board has also remanded for a new examination to determine the current severity of his osteoarthritis and disc displacement of the right TMJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of discussion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and/or tinnitus/insomnia disorder with adjustment disorder with depressed mood caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn led to his obstructive sleep apnea. The case is now required for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 2, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, but her bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to be service connected due to in-service herbicide exposure. The cases for hernia and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The other conditions (PTSD and depression) are denied as there is no evidence of an in-service event or disease. Bilateral hearing loss is also denied due to lack of a nexus between current hearing loss and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims, with the benefit of doubt given in favor of the Veteran regarding his current disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II (secondary to herbicide exposure). The decision on tinnitus is final.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability. The Veteran will be asked to provide information about any treatment he received, and VA will seek those records. An orthopedic examination will also be arranged.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified trauma and stress disorder. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection for this condition. However, the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain pending as additional VA examinations are needed.

The appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection for tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma and tinnitus have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied service connection for Meniere's disease as it is not secondary to service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran was granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to his PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to January 25, 2016. Therefore, a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he retains the capacity for work-like activities despite limitations imposed by his conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a spinal disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a respiratory disability. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection.