Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for a hematologic disability, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete medical opinions and potential exposure verification.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for a right ankle condition. The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle condition did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service. For his tinnitus, the Board found reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, finding that it began in service and was not caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran is found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, left thigh gunshot wound with compound fracture of femur, and other physical conditions. The Board finds that the evidence supports this determination.

The appeal for service connection for a right ankle disability is dismissed. Service connection and entitlement to a compensable rating are granted for bilateral hearing loss, but denied for tinnitus. The Veteran's left leg arthritis (residuals of left ankle open reduction and internal fixation) is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as obtaining any outstanding private treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability during service and that there is no evidence of noise exposure or other causation in service. The Board found the VA examiner's opinion to be more persuasive than the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the appellant's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine have been rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The case has been remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

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 military noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not manifest in service or within a year of separation and was more likely due to presbycusis (hearing loss due to aging) and/or head injury from a post-service motor vehicle accident.,The Board also denied service connection for tinnitus, concluding that it is less likely related to service noise exposure. The Veteran's current tinnitus first appeared after a 1974 basic training incident and was not present during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was reopened and granted. The right ear hearing loss disability is also granted, while the left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are denied.,Service connection for major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to language issues during VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service.,The Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded as there is insufficient competent evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of findings on the credibility of lay statements and reliance on an outdated VA examination. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need to be re-evaluated with proper conversion of audiometry results.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260.,Sleep apnea requires a CPAP machine but does not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating as there are no symptoms warranting such a high level of disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The AOJ must obtain additional medical records, request clarifying opinions from a VA examiner, and conduct any other necessary development.

The Board has found that service connection is warranted for tinnitus, but the case of bilateral hearing loss must be remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied an earlier effective date for tinnitus. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, while his tinnitus claim was not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, deviated septum, tinnitus, glaucoma, and sinusitis have all been denied.,An initial schedular rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has also been denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the final June 2016 rating decision.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions had onset in, or are otherwise related to, his service.