Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 6, 2014, for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied. The Board also finds that his claims for sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and dysthymic disorder) require further development as they may be related to pre-existing conditions or personal assault during boot camp.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally or etiologically due to noise exposure and diving during service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and the cases of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension were remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, arthritis (including as secondary to sleep apnea), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to missing service treatment records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements and medical evidence are sufficient to warrant VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate development in a previous VA examination.

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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development as the opinions provided in the February 2016 VA audiological evaluation are inadequate. Specifically, a new medical opinion is needed to reconcile discrepancies in the Veteran’s audiograms during service and his conceded exposure to hazardous noise during service on the nature and etiology of his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and alcohol and drug use disorder, as well as for an earlier effective date than August 9, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus has been dismissed. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his lumbar spine disability rating is remanded for further examination. Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine condition is also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, liver disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) are remanded.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as the evidence did not show it was incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated during service. The right ear hearing loss disability was not shown to be related to service, while the left ear hearing loss disability is currently manifested.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, a right foot disability, a left foot disability, a left eye disability, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disability due to lack of in-service incurrence or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service noise exposure are credible and probative. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted service connection. The gastrointestinal disorders (IBS) and skin disability claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities. The claim for hearing loss is remanded.