Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board finds that tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, anxiety disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right knee disability are related to active service. The remaining issues remain pending.

The appeal for service connection of right knee disability is dismissed as the claim was fully granted in a prior rating decision. The appeals for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD, OSA to include asthma, IBS with GERD status post Boerhaave syndrome with scar and s/p cholecystectomy, and chronic lumbar syndrome with degeneration of L5-S1 and anterolisthesis at L5 are all denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. Service connection for these conditions was denied.,The Veteran has not reported continuous symptoms of tinnitus since active duty service or within one year of his discharge from active duty service. The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to active duty service. Service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as his disability has already been rated at the maximum allowable level.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes during the pendency of this appeal.,Service connection for a right shoulder disorder, headaches, TMJ dysfunction, hypertension, vertigo, and respiratory condition are all denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and tinnitus.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted, effective from May 26, 2020.,A rating of 20 percent for left knee disability and a rating of 10 percent for left knee instability are granted, both effective from May 26, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for high blood pressure, headaches, sinus condition, GERD, and a back disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 13, 2019 and initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus are denied as the earliest possible effective date is September 13, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (claimed as sleep apnea) is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have persisted since then.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for heart disease and hypertension, both secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues of service connection for Pes Planus, Tinnitus, and Headaches will be further evaluated.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, but his bilateral hearing loss claim requires further examination and evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection as they are considered to be directly related to his military service, with no presumption of service connection due to noise exposure or other factors.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for survivor's pension, DIC benefits, and accrued benefits. The decision found that her income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR), did not establish a service-connected disability as the cause of death, and dismissed the claim for accrued benefits due to her status as a substitute appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on a direct basis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision finds that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service, while his bilateral hearing loss did not have a nexus to service.