Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral pes planus (flat feet). The Veteran's claims for hypertension and hypothyroidism are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service hazardous noise exposure.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as service-connected, with the Board concluding that there is no persuasive evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and active service.,PTSD is remanded for further development including verification of stressors and provision of a VA psychiatric opinion.,An acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (to include depression and anxiety) is also remanded, with the same considerations as PTSD.,Essential tremors of the left and right hands are remanded due to their potential connection to PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a back disability, and a headache disability (including migraines). The Board found no credible evidence of in-service incurrence or relationship to service.,There is no persuasive medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from April 1, 2017, through September 9, 2018.,As of September 10, 2018, the Veteran's combined disability rating reached 100%, making the issue moot and dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate examination.

Service connection for a neck condition and right shoulder condition is denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, but the issue of service connection for bilateral ear condition to include bilateral hearing loss needs further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The hypertension and tinnitus cases did not meet the criteria for higher ratings, while the migraine headaches claim was granted a 30 percent rating effective from June 7, 2021. The lumbar spine disability received a compensable rating.

An effective date of August 20, 2013 was granted for the grant of service connection for tinnitus.,The claim for service connection for diverticulitis was reopened and is now pending.

The Board has remanded the claims due to additional evidence being submitted after the January 2020 Statement of the Case. The AOJ must review this new evidence and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, hypertension, and neuropathy of all extremities is granted. The claim for increased rating for tinnitus in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is presumed to be due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent (Agent Orange) and is granted.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to be due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent (Agent Orange) and is granted.,The Veteran's skin cancer is related to his military service and is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of subjective tinnitus had its onset during his military service and continues to the present time.

The Board has identified three pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and has remanded the claims for additional development. The Veteran's service treatment records, audiograms, and VA audiological examination are to be obtained and reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma. The decision is based on current diagnoses of hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as consistent reports from the Veteran regarding when these symptoms began.

The Veteran's claim for PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to unclear reasons and bases in the denial, as well as a need to clarify eligibility based on new legal criteria set by the Federal Circuit.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with no specific exposure basis provided.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including Parkinson's disease and major depressive disorder. The Board has remanded several issues for further review due to the complexity of his case.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to readjudicate his claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that new and relevant evidence supports a grant of this claim. The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed incurred due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus to include as secondary to hearing loss, pharyngitis, sinus disability, and psychiatric disability due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.,The Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not shown at any time during or proximate to the appeal period.