Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations. A new examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are causally connected to in-service acoustic trauma. The decision is based on direct service connection as there was no requirement of a diagnosis during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to an inadequate VA examination that did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset of his symptoms during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining issues of service connection. Service connection is granted for tinnitus as it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, which includes parachute jumps and Ranger training. The low back disability, left foot disabilities (including callouses and bunions), right foot disabilities (including callouses and bunions), right hip disability, and left knee disability are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Board has determined that the January 2018 VA examination is inadequate and remands the cases for further development, including a new VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

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

The claim for service connection has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and anxiety disorder are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as he has a history of working for over 30 years in various capacities.

A rating of more than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,An earlier effective date of January 4, 2017, for the increased rating to 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic PTSD with anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and for major depressive disorder is granted.,Service connection for recurrent major depressive disorder is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic headaches is granted.,Service connection for migraine headaches is granted.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for a low back condition is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for sinusitis is denied.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for a chronic enlarged prostate is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic erectile dysfunction is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic kidney disease is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 100% rating as of December 18, 2017. Headaches are also granted and linked to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for right shoulder strain, a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and an effective date prior to October 26, 2018 for tinnitus due to the appellant's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, and a cardiac disability must be remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to noise during service, but there are insufficient records of asbestos exposure in his military history. Further development is needed to verify these exposures.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus should be remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the Veteran's cervical spine DDD, which was part of an increased rating request. The attorney is entitled to 20% of past-due benefits awarded in September 2020.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU is denied as there was no formal or informal communication prior to May 7, 2020 expressing an intent to file a claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied because there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus and the Board places higher probative value on the Veteran's statements to medical providers than his lay statements.