Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and gastrointestinal (GI) disorder due to incomplete or insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is requested to undergo new VA examinations using DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with the decision based on continuity of symptomatology since service.,Service connection for COPD and residuals of pneumonia are granted due to evidence suggesting a link between these conditions and in-service events.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus was present during his military service and is a result of continuous symptoms since then.

The Veteran's atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease was granted an initial 30 percent rating prior to June 30, 2017 and a 60 percent rating from that date. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating effective June 29, 2017.,Entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 29, 2017 was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied in October 2007 and October 2009, respectively. The effective date of the grant of service connection was February 12, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance. The Board has remanded to determine if TDIU should be granted prior to May 21, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. Service connection for hypertension is denied, but the claim to reopen a skin rash condition is granted. The issue of PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability, tinnitus, and ankle disabilities have resulted in total occupational impairment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 70% for these conditions.

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

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, cervical spine condition, low back pain, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to exposure to noise in service. The cervical spine and left knee disability claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not rated higher than the current levels, and service connection for a peripheral vestibular disorder is remanded due to conflicting opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's lay reports of observable symptoms are not considered in the current medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, and his increased rating for chondromalacia of the bilateral knees is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining the exact dates of his active duty. The claims for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right foot metatarsalgia, cervical spine disability, chronic myositis of the paracervical spine muscles, left shoulder disability, left arm disability, lumbar spine disability, chronic myositis of the paralumbar spine muscles, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and arteriosclerotic heart disease due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal involves his initial rating for myasthenia gravis, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 29, 2012, and an earlier effective date for service connection. The Board has determined that these issues require further review due to the need to address claims of CUE in a previous decision and the possibility of an extraschedular rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases of necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus for further development. The Veteran's necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum is rated at 60 percent, which represents the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7821. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service or related to service.