Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded 10 issues related to tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, psoriasis, and various forms of rheumatoid arthritis due to the lack of service treatment records. The RO is instructed to attempt to locate these records through multiple avenues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx was denied. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to September 26, 2016 and from November 1, 2017 to December 19, 2017. However, the issue of TDIU was moot as he received a 100% rating for his service-connected disabilities and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(i).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, and migraine headaches. The remaining issues have been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, and migraine headaches. The remaining issues have been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not attributable to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus do not render him unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, but a new VA medical opinion is needed to address whether his PTSD and hearing loss contributed to his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's right central facial palsy, aphasia, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve disability are not rated higher than their current levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flat foot, bilateral hearing loss disability, vertigo, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including asbestosis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the cause of death and service connection for PTSD. The DIC claim is denied as the Veteran did not meet the eligibility requirements under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's PTSD was restored to a 70% rating, and service connection for tinnitus was granted. The Veteran also received an award of TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that these conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are now granted. The remaining issues related to right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, tinea pedis, hypertension, migraine headaches, and sinus condition are remanded for further development.

The application to reopen the previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. The claim for service connection for PTSD with secondary alcohol and cannabis dependence is granted, but a rating greater than 50 percent is remanded. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is considered to have had its onset during his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine was incurred as a result of in-service duties, specifically parachute jumps. The Board has also granted service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's residuals of frostbite of both feet are considered to have had its onset during his military service and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.