Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle/foot condition, and right ankle/foot condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the existence and etiology of several service-connected conditions, including hypertension, left knee disorder, aching joints, tinnitus, skeletal arthritis of the entire joint system, left elbow disorder, bilateral eye disorder (including sensitivity to light), right knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and bipolar disorder), right elbow disorder, and headache disorder. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability is granted. The cases are remanded for further examinations and determinations regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, finding that the evidence supports a nexus between the two conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an administrative error in submitting a modernized review system form instead of a legacy one. The Veteran must file a timely VA Form 9 if he wishes to continue his appeal.

The Veteran's spine disability is granted as it was caused by an in-service fall.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is granted due to credible evidence linking his symptoms to service. His tinnitus is also granted as its onset during active-duty service is supported by competent evidence.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and sleep apnea has been reopened. Service connection is granted for tinnitus but denied for PTSD and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's combined schedular evaluation for compensation was 80 percent prior to June 12, 2019, and 90 percent thereafter. The Board finds that remand is warranted for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran suggesting that his tinnitus may have developed after service, despite in-service noise exposure. The case will be reviewed for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted. The reduction of his PTSD rating from 70% to 50% was upheld.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating. The Board has denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing an increase in severity since the last VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, and providing an addendum opinion regarding the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical spine disability due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no credible evidence linking the current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus and lumbar spondylosis are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hand condition and headaches are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease as there is no evidence that the Veteran filed a formal or informal application for these conditions prior to September 15, 2015.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, and foot fungus condition are granted service connection. The Veteran's respiratory condition, heart condition, and skin condition are denied service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus, left foot callouses, and right foot callouses have been granted service connection. The low back disability has also been reopened for further review.,Service connection is established for arthritis of the ankles, but not for the left wrist or knee.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.