Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frozen feet, residuals of frozen hands, a back disability (to include arthritis), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a mouth sore disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions were incurred in or due to his time in service.

The Veteran's application for Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) education benefits was denied because her initial application was received after the 15-year delimiting date, and she did not meet the eligibility criteria due to a combination of her own disabilities and family obligations.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The effective date for service connection for tinnitus is April 20, 2017, the earliest date of receipt of a claim.,For left knee disability (status post total left knee replacement), the effective date is June 24, 2015, based on the date of surgery. For left knee scar, the effective date is August 25, 2016, based on the date of receipt of a claim.,For right knee DJD with limitation of extension, the earliest effective date is October 21, 2015. The effective dates for other issues are April 20, 2017 and March 22, 2017 respectively.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that it is more likely than not related to noise exposure during active service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals to reopen claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in excess of 10 percent have been denied. The Veteran is already receiving the highest available schedular disability rating for both conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient medical nexus evidence to resolve the appeal. The case will be returned to VA for further evidentiary development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, which he experienced during service and continues to experience today, was incurred in service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and kidney cancer due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The claims will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and right leg circulation problems were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, high blood pressure/hypertension, and heart attack/CAD were not reopened as there was no new and material evidence received.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus 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 granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his tinnitus had its inception during active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during active duty service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his character of discharge claim due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to be scheduled for a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted for tinnitus, and the issues of service connection for arthritis, asthma, high cholesterol, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diverticulitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have also been granted. The claims for hearing loss and bilateral hands/low back arthritis are still pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began during active duty and has continued since then.,Service connection for migraines (headaches) due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards was denied. The examiner found no evidence of chronic headaches in the Veteran’s records.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no claim was filed prior to April 24, 2012.

The Veteran's tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, intercostal neuralgia (chest pain), asthma, and ulnar nerve paralysis of the left upper extremity are all found to be related to his service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.,Reasoning behind this decision includes medical opinions supporting a link between each condition and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, lumbar spine disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board found the January 2007 VA examiner’s opinion more probative than the physician's opinion in determining that these conditions are less likely due to his active service.