Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of in-service audiograms, which are necessary to make an informed decision.

The Veteran's claims for cardiomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly, and deviated septum were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these issues.,Tinnitus was granted service connection based on in-service noise exposure and current symptomatology.,An acquired psychiatric disability (depression) was granted service connection due to in-service experiences and post-deployment health re-assessment reports.,Allergic rhinitis was granted service connection based on in-service symptoms and current diagnosis.,Hypertension was granted service connection as it began during active duty, with evidence of elevated blood pressure readings.,Varicocele was granted service connection due to a left varicocele noted at separation and subsequent CT scan showing the condition.,A skin disability (eczema and cellulitis) was granted service connection based on in-service rashes and current diagnosis.,Gastrointestinal disability (hiatal hernia and diverticulosis) was granted service connection due to symptoms beginning during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's statements about its onset during service are credible and outweighing the opinions of VA examiners who did not consider these statements.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been granted as it was proximately caused by service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, CAD, and gastritis need to be remanded due to incomplete STRs and missing military personnel records. The claim for gastritis must also be remanded as it requires a direct service connection opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and effective date claims related to TBI residuals, headache disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, PTSD with depressive disorder, and left eyebrow scar residuals. The issues of increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD with depressive disorder; and entitlement to total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors. The issues of headaches, left foot disability, and tinnitus are being remanded as there were insufficient opinions provided regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be of such severity that they preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) in response to the May 2009 rating decision was not filed within one year of the denial.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to earlier effective date for tinnitus based on CUE is also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the unavailability of service treatment records and the need for further verification of in-service stressors related to PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded his claim for COPD due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further evaluation due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and granted it, finding that there is a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it had its onset during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of current disabilities. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus as there is no competent evidence of a current disability. Service connection is also denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of hearing loss within one year after service and it is less likely related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current condition is related to in-service noise exposure and granting a grant of service connection.