Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The appellant is entitled to a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) that considers all the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including treatment records and information regarding her reported stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition due to new evidence received since his previous denial.,The Veteran contends that he injured his back while shoveling gravel during military service, and now seeks service connection for this injury.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claims for the periods prior to and since August 26, 2011 were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a combined 100% disability rating due to multiple service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of bilateral hearing loss due to potential delayed-onset noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and right knee disability due to incomplete rationale in the VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is presumed exposed to noise during his active duty, but there are no in-service audiograms or complaints of hearing issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic tonsillitis, did not render him unemployable prior to July 18, 2019. The Board found that the evidence does not show anything out of the ordinary or not average in his situation as a result of these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether his tinnitus began during service and considering his in-service noise exposure. The decision also notes conflicting evidence regarding when the tinnitus started.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to address noise exposure. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being reviewed again for proper consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to March 25, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran was able to maintain his employment due to other non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted as service connected.,Service connection for a bilateral foot condition remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent for complaints or findings of hearing loss and tinnitus, but his current disabilities may be related to in-service noise exposure during training sessions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted in June 2020. The VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disorder, migraines, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cardiovascular disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, so his claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits to pursue a medical career is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous decision and need for further evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition has been granted. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss remains pending as the Board found that more evidence was needed.