Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during service and has continued since then. Service connection for this condition is granted.,VA examination did not find hearing loss in either ear at the time of the January 2017 VA examination, but the Veteran reported worsening symptoms since that time. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if current hearing loss disability exists and its etiology.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee conditions (left and right), left hand condition, and left shoulder condition are all remanded as the January 2017 VA examiner did not provide opinions regarding their direct relationship to service. A new VA examination is required for these claims.,The Veteran's left ankle condition and right ankle condition are both remanded as a new VA examination is needed to determine if current bilateral ankle conditions exist and their etiology.,The Veteran's balance impairment is also remanded as no opinion has been provided regarding its relationship to service. A new VA examination is required for this claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral kidney disability has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several other issues including skin, low back, psychiatric, headache, eye, hearing loss, tinnitus, carpal tunnel syndrome, hip, knee, and foot disabilities.

The combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during the appeal period prior to August 7, 2013.

The Board denied the claim for an extraschedular TDIU due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left mandible non-displaced fracture, and temporomandibular joint disorder as the Veteran's other service-connected disorders did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred during active duty.,VA examinations were not provided for the Veteran's hip, low back, and knee disabilities. The Veteran also needs a VA examination for his PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. The hearing loss disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The right shoulder condition claim is reopened, but the Board finds a remand necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran's claims are inextricably intertwined, so the tinnitus claim is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left lower extremity shin splints as there is no medical evidence showing a current disability or a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,No new evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of an informal claim prior to April 30, 2018.,His claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition due to service. Additional medical records are needed, including from NASA, private doctors, and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 4, 2017.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension has been granted due to the PACT Act of 2022.,The lower back disability claim is being reconsidered as new STRs have been associated with the Veteran's file.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of radiation exposure, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no evidence of ionizing radiation exposure during service and thus could not grant service connection based on that basis. For the tinnitus claim, the Veteran reported in-service noise exposure which was sufficient to establish a link with his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, but with effective dates of October 26, 2017.,No effective date earlier than October 26, 2017, was established for the grants of service connection or increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and initial rating for PUD with IBS due to concerns about missing medical records from the Veteran's active duty period. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to assess his current disability status.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.