Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, residuals of skin cancer, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

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. Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.,Service connection was granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (IVDS, spinal stenosis), lumbosacral radiculitis of the left and right lower extremities, all secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus had its onset during his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to noise exposure during service. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service noise exposure have been considered, and his lay testimony provides a sufficient basis to conclude that his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for neck disability, left ankle disability, bilateral shin splints, and left toe disability are denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, alopecia areata (hair loss), dizziness, sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, non-specific arthritis (claimed as joint pain, muscle pain, and painful joints), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), shortness of breath, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is attributable to his in-service noise exposure and his already service-connected hearing loss.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service ear condition and exposure to herbicides. The TDIU and cause of death issues are also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that his tinnitus began during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder condition due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he can tolerate sedentary or physical work environments that don't involve heavy lifting and prolonged sitting.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected.,Prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction ratings are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disability, and back disability have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to service.,Service connection has not been established for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the entire period on appeal, as he meets the schedular criteria and his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits is remanded for additional development, including obtaining his complete STRs and military personnel records. The claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome, and residuals of a right arm injury are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of death and its relation to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus and erectile dysfunction.,Service connection is also granted for a dental condition for treatment purposes only. However, the claim of service connection for hearing loss and memory loss is denied.