Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left shoulder disability. The decision finds that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from December 31, 2015. From March 28, 2017, the Veteran's award of TDIU was predicated on PTSD alone and his additional service-connected disabilities were independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD have been granted service connection.,A remand is ordered for further examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral ankle disability, and an updated medical opinion regarding his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a vision disorder has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the presumption of exposure to toxic substances during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.,Secondary service connection for asthma is granted, with aggravation by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a left leg disability, previously claimed as weakness in bilateral legs is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, previously claimed as weakness in bilateral legs is granted.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent for instability, but the initial ratings for other conditions remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and uterus pain as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's asthma, tinnitus, and related conditions are now service-connected. The Board has determined that additional examinations and remands are necessary for further analysis of the remaining issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are considered, but his lay statements regarding needing aid and attendance are also taken into account.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC have been remanded due to the submission of a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) under the legacy system, which has now been accepted by the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension (HTN), and diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II) are all granted as service-connected due to exposure to PFAS in contaminated drinking water at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded. The Board also requests additional VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's subjective complaints related to her hearing loss, as well as to obtain audiograms from August 2023 to present.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, PTSD, hypoesthesia of the lateral third of the left lower lip, lumbar strain, irritable bowel syndrome, dermatitis, and bilateral tinnitus are all granted. The Veteran is assigned a 10% rating for each condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as a direct result of in-service noise exposure, with the Board finding continuity of symptoms since separation from service.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and tinnitus is granted effective November 20, 2015.,Service connection for prostatitis is granted effective November 20, 2015.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted effective November 20, 2015. This issue is granted pursuant to the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (PACT Act).,Service connection for sinusitis is granted on a secondary basis due to allergic rhinitis.,Effective dates prior to November 20, 2015, are denied for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The appeal regarding earlier effective date for SMC based on the loss of use of bilateral feet, and claims for service connection for right elbow condition, left elbow condition, and bilateral shoulder conditions are pending and will be remanded. Claims for increased disability evaluations for left buttock and hip condition and right buttock and hip conditions based on flexion, abduction, and/or extension are also pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran's service stressors have also been developed for review.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were present within one year of discharge from service and there was a continuity of symptomatology without a clearly attributable intercurrent cause.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. However, service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.