Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is more likely than not related to his military noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and for a compensable disability rating for early bilateral eye cataracts. Additional VA medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of a hearing disability during or within one year after service, and the VA examiner found that his current hearing loss is less likely related to service. ,The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted as he has established a current disability (tinnitus) and noise exposure in service, but the VA examiner found it less likely than not associated with service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the issue of an effective date earlier than November 26, 2012, for service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Veteran's initial rating for tinnitus is denied as it is already at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines. The issues of hearing loss, dizziness/nausea/headaches secondary to tinnitus and/or hearing loss are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and knee/hip conditions, prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported noise exposure in service and recurrent tinnitus since then meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and rhinitis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability has been reopened, and the Board finds that new evidence supports this claim. Service connection is granted for insomnia. The claims for vascular condition (hypertension), back disability, neurological disorders of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus are denied.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disability, including residuals of pneumonia. The Veteran's appeal was not timely filed and the decision became final.,New evidence received since the denial did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability.

The Veteran's left knee instability and meniscectomy have been granted separate 10 percent ratings effective December 1, 2014.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure.,His bilateral foot disability is linked to service due to chronic use of ill-fitting combat boots.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee strain, low back pain, and bilateral shoulder disability (claimed as degenerative arthritis), but remanded the claim for tinnitus due to outstanding records. The decision grants service connection for bilateral knee strain.

Service connection for type 2 diabetes, as secondary to an in-service exposure to Agent Orange, has been granted.,Service connection for RLE peripheral neuropathy and LLE peripheral neuropathy, both considered secondary to service-connected type 2 diabetes, have also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea were denied in a September 2014 rating decision. The Veteran did not appeal this decision.,In July 2018, the VA granted service connection for these conditions effective April 2, 2018.

Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are service-connected under direct criteria.,The Veteran's cervical spine/neck disability, residuals of head injury, migraines, seizure disorder, lumbar spine disability, disabilities of the bilateral upper extremities, to include shoulder, arm, and radiculopathy, as well as left ear hearing loss, remain in appellate status.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, leaving no issues for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the condition began during active service and persisted since then.,Service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence linking current hearing impairment to in-service noise exposure.