Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected COPD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss render him so helpless as to need the regular aid and attendance of another person, qualifying for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for tinnitus and panic disorder due to a jurisdictional issue with the NOD form used. The Veteran's intent is acknowledged, but a statement of the case must be issued before further action can be taken.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and has determined that new and material evidence has been presented. The Veteran's tinnitus is also found to be incurred in service, but his obstructive sleep apnea is not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, and PTSD for treatment purposes only.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 10, 2017 for service connection of tinnitus. The decision is based on the receipt of a formal claim within one year of the receipt of an intent to file claim (IFC).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for TDIU, SMC based on loss of use of his left hand, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard and Reserves service, as well as outstanding VA and non-VA medical records. The VA audiology examiner will provide opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes as secondary to service-connected disabilities, but denied service connection for tinnitus and the other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and SMC based on aid and attendance due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of his diabetes and inability to perform daily activities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to in-service noise exposure.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, tinea versicolor, and bronchitis.,The Veteran's irregular heartbeat and chest pain claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and tinnitus claims are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, nor any causal relationship to service.,For his low back disorder claim, the AOJ has not yet decided whether new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board will remand this issue for further action.

The Board has decided that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss, left hand condition, and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including VA examinations and opinions addressing the etiology of his disabilities. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various orthopedic disorders and tinnitus, but the Board notes that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or noise exposure related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, kidney failure, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and rating for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), bilateral hands and feet disabilities, bilateral knees disabilities, hypertension, back, neck, hips, shoulders, legs, left shoulder condition, right shoulder arthritis, left-hand condition, right-hand condition, back condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right leg condition, left leg condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hemorrhoids can be adjudicated. The AOJ must obtain service treatment records from the Army Reserves and National Guard periods of service, verify active duty for training and inactive duty training dates, and request surgical records from Fort Stewart.