Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The right ear hearing loss issue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD and depressive disorders, and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide agent exposure. The claims are being remanded for additional development and medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision is based on the lack of evidence of hearing loss during or within one year after service and the examiner's opinion that the Veteran’s hearing loss was not caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus and renal cell carcinoma clear cell type are granted service connection due to in-service exposure. The bladder disability and prostate disability claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal. The Board has also determined that additional examinations are needed for several issues, including left shoulder strain, right elbow bursitis, cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain and scoliosis, right extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation, left extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation, lipoma on the abdomen, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right hand disability, hearing loss, psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and jaw disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal regarding an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence received since the 2012 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The Board also found in equipoise regarding whether the current conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing acuity does not warrant such an increase. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and right knee disorder due to insufficient evidence. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition is granted as secondary to his right ankle condition. Service connection for low back and tinnitus conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete development. The AOJ is directed to adjudicate these issues on their merits, including considering new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but he is not rendered unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to continuous symptoms since service, meeting the requirements for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure. However, his bilateral hearing loss is denied as not incurred or related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to his military service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that another medical opinion is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current VA examination was incomplete.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, asbestosis, tinnitus, adenocarcinoma of the cecal colon, and bronchiectasis, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for dizziness, headache disability, right knee disability, neck disability, and left arm disability are remanded due to missing VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions, particularly concerning the preexisting left ear hearing loss.