Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for oral cancer, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The decision also noted that the Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions arose during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DMII, glaucoma of the left eye, bilateral tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. Service connection for a headache condition is denied, and the Veteran's low back condition and acquired psychiatric condition (to include major depression) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for stroke is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart pathology (sinus bradycardia) is granted based on new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee DJD are both denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee DJD is denied.

The Board found that discontinuance of VR&E services based on a negative feasibility determination was proper due to the Veteran's significant physical health issues and extensive limitations in his activities. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of current disability and no in-service event related to this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected brain tumor substantially contributed to his death from liver cancer, which was caused by transfusions for the brain tumor. The Board found that this is a direct connection and granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period and there is no evidence of chronic symptomatology since separation. His tinnitus, however, is at least as likely as not causally related to active service, including due to hazardous noise exposure therein.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss and left knee disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development.

Service connection granted for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, headaches, and sleep apnea.,PTSD rating denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Board denied attorney fees as the Veteran did not file an NOD for the service connection claims in December 2016 and March 2017 rating decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. However, the Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, concluding there was no evidence of a current disability and attributing any pain to post-service occupational activities.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those related to higher ratings for sciatica and lumbosacral spondylolisthesis with IVDS, an increased rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome, a TDIU effective date earlier than August 25, 2011, service connection for tinnitus, and hearing loss. The Board dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal.

The appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which is characterized as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Service connection for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for an adjustment disorder is granted.,The appeals pertaining to service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension are remanded due to the Veteran's current symptoms being related to his military service.,The appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded as it is linked to multiple conditions, including kidney cancer.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims for neck, right ankle, left ankle, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim of skin disability of the hands is also remanded. The loss of sense of smell claim requires further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as the provided VA opinions are insufficient to decide the claims. The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, bilateral shoulder disorders, and migraine headaches will be reconsidered after a new examination is conducted.