Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's combined disability ratings meet the threshold requirements for a schedular TDIU, and she is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal of hearing loss service connection and granted tinnitus service connection. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service, specifically his exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,For the period prior to November 9, 2016, his sinusitis was not compensably rated. For the period after November 9, 2016, a 30 percent rating is granted for sinusitis.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition and related scar are remanded due to lack of STRs and need for an examination to determine etiology.,The Veteran's back condition is remanded as VA needs to provide an opinion on the likely etiology of his current diagnosed back disability, including consideration of in-service duties.,The Veteran's left knee and right knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and need for addendum opinions.,The Veteran's flat feet are remanded because a VA examiner has not addressed whether preexisting flat feet were aggravated by service.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is remanded as the threshold for disability was not met in his previous examination. The issues of right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are inextricably intertwined.,The Veteran's right hand middle finger laceration residuals are remanded due to potential missing records from hospitalization during service.,The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is remanded as the Veteran asserts an increase in severity since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is considered service-connected as it began during his active military service and continues to persist.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a contracted 5th toe, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, vision loss, and skin cancer due to in-service sunlight exposure. The Veteran's hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his disabilities due to incomplete examinations, lack of clarification from previous VA examiners, and other procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service due to noise exposure while working on jet aircraft engines.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and left ear hearing loss do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as they are rated at 10 percent, which is less than the minimum requirement of 60%.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of prurigo nodularis was denied, but he was granted a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus did not manifest within one year of separation from service and is not related to his service or a service-connected disability. Service connection was granted for bilateral flat feet.

The Veteran's tinnitus is associated with his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's hearing impairment is no worse than Level I in either ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating for the initial compensable rating claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus manifested within one year of separation from active duty service and has been continuous since then, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, but his right ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of in-service manifestation or evidence of continuity of symptoms.

Service connection is denied for hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted for head injuries.,The Veteran's claim to reopen his anxiety/neurosis (claimed as depression) will be remanded due to the need to obtain medical records from Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii and Fort Gordon Army hospital.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, including for service connection of PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, chloracne, and secondary conditions. The appeals are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 27, 2013, for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the earliest effective date that can be assigned is already the date of claim to reopen.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disability (claimed as asthma), and heart disability (claimed as congestive heart failure) due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for additional examinations.