Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to May 4, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran had part-time employment before this date and his service-connected conditions alone did not prevent him from working.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's service connection requests, as well as his request for a compensable evaluation for tinea versicolor. The appeals are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of noise exposure or injury during periods of active duty. The appellant's current disabilities are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability, as there is no credible evidence showing that the disorder had its onset during a period of active duty. The appellant did not have any treatment for such conditions in service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions and new claims. The Board has determined that these matters are inextricably intertwined with the previously adjudicated issues, and thus must be remanded for further consideration.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is related to his military noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for rhinorrhea (rhinitis) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for right lower extremity sciatica is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for left hip disability (gluteal muscle strain) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for left leg pain (muscle cramping) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty to assist errors, specifically regarding missing medical records from a private provider. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are noted as affecting his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 3, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, considering his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened, and both conditions are now granted.,Service connection is established for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and prostate cancer (residual symptoms), with a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right hip disability, and left hip disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and any relevant private treatment records. A new VA examination with comprehensive opinions on service connection will be arranged.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of tinnitus has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with this matter as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 10, 2014. The decision is based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's headaches are caused by his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection was denied as the criteria for assigning such an effective date prior to February 1, 2018 were not met.

Service connection granted for tinnitus. Service connection denied for supine obstructive sleep apnea.,Effective dates earlier than March 23, 2016 and November 8, 2016 for service connection of lumbar strain and pseudofolliculitis barbae are denied.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for referral to the VA Director of Compensation Service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) from September 3, 2015 due to evidence suggesting the service-connected disabilities may have rendered the Veteran unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability.