Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is related to his in-service exposure to loud military vehicle noises.

Service connection for tinnitus is denied.,An effective date of March 23, 2010, and no earlier, for the grant of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting opinions and missing records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the claims for residuals of a lower back injury and an increased evaluation for post-operative pterygia are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at the lowest possible non-compensable level.,Tinnitus has been assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, which cannot be increased further under current criteria.,Sleep apnea is currently rated at the highest available schedular rating (50%), and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's heart disorder is currently rated at 30%, with no higher rating being granted due to lack of specific findings supporting a higher level of disability.,PTSD has been rated as 30% prior to October 31, 2013, and 50% thereafter. No higher ratings are warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment due to his inability to hear in even quiet environments, which precludes both physical and sedentary work.

The claim of service connection for recurrent tinnitus and an increased rating evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Veteran's tinnitus may be related to his time in service or his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is as likely as not incurred during his active service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow the VA to further evaluate and determine service connection for a right eye disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were so severe as to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since October 27, 2009. The Board has determined that the evidence of record demonstrates this and affords the benefit of doubt to grant a TDIU effective October 27, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current tinnitus, which is not considered a chronic disease under VA law.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and left eye macula condition are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and left carpal tunnel syndrome are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for low back, left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, increased rating for tinnitus, and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete development. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus may be related to in-service noise exposure, but further examination is needed to determine this.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons for denying service connection for tinnitus, specifically failing to address delayed onset tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder and tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the Veteran's symptoms are attributed to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's request for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss and also denied his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the hearing loss, as it was rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines. For TDIU, the Board determined that the appellant's combined disability ratings were sufficient to meet the criteria but concluded he could still maintain substantially gainful employment due to his work history and current physical condition.

The Board has denied service connection for Meniere’s disease and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of vertigo.