Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for PTSD and tinnitus due to new medical evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, hypertension, right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder (degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome), right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and Crohn's disease have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has not met the threshold to establish current hearing loss 'disability' as required by VA regulations.

The Veteran's hypertension, back condition, heart condition, neuropathy of the arms, hands, and legs, dementia, and tinnitus were not found to be related to service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, despite the severity of his conditions and multiple job losses.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining claims of service connection for a back disability, sinus disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 18, 2018 for tinnitus is denied.,The claims for reopening of service connection for thyroid cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysm are granted.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for renal cancer, COPD, back injury with bilateral nerve impairment, acid reflux, IBS, left leg injury/muscle injury, right leg injury/muscle injury, shrapnel wounds on back and legs, disability of the sternum, soft tissue sarcoma, and diabetes mellitus type II are all denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted from January 18, 2018 to January 10, 2019 with a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU prior to August 27, 2015. The evidence did not support a finding that his sleep apnea was related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. Additionally, the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

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

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 4, 2014 for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches have been remanded as the current severity of these conditions needs to be determined.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and various other conditions are granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities were related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Further development is needed for the bilateral hearing loss claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, despite his reported symptoms and limitations.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have occurred during active duty. The residuals of left perforated eardrum and skin graft secondary to this condition were denied due to lack of current disability, while the depression claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids and tinnitus are granted. The Board finds the Veteran has current disabilities, in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury, and continuous disability since service. Service connection is also granted for left ankle disability. However, the Board remands the cases for additional development regarding left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on direct evidence of a link between service exposure and the current disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence submitted in February 2017. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if hypertension is related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange/herbicides. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are also remanded for addendum opinions.