Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been denied as the condition is already at its maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus has also been denied, as there was no prior claim within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint and tinnitus disorders have been denied as the evidence does not support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and further development of the claims. The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, tinnitus, hyperacusis, anxiety disorder, and erectile dysfunction are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the evidence being in equipoise. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied because the Veteran was not evaluated as totally disabled for a continuous period of at least 10 years immediately preceding death. The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

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

The Board denied service connection for back pain, right knee disability, tinnitus, and headaches as the evidence did not support a relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that the conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus due to new and material evidence received since the final December 2012 rating decision. The Board also found that the Veteran's symptoms of tinnitus began during service and have been continuous since service separation, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these determinations.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete medical records and unverified in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea due to additional evidence being added to the record after the last statement of the case.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The initial compensable rating for left serous otitis myringotomy is remanded due to the possibility of worsening symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in disability more nearly approximating occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and impaired impulse control. An initial rating of 70 percent since June 11, 2014 for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus and depression claims are also remanded due to lack of a medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and an increased rating for tinnitus is denied. The Veteran's PTSD claim has been remanded.,PTSD remains at the maximum schedular rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in January 2016 was inadequate and remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a new opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.