Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 28, 2015.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, thus these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute mixed drug intoxication, and the Board finds that a remand is necessary to further develop both theories of entitlement regarding prescribed medications for service-connected disabilities and VA negligence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it was not present in service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service discharge and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for right hip strain, left and right hammer toes, and tinea pedis are dismissed as they represent freestanding claims without a new award of service connection.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the highest schedular rating available (10%) has been assigned.

The Board denied service connection for sleep loss secondary to tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of a disability manifested by sleep loss.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The claim for residuals of an injury to the ring finger of the left hand is REMANDED due to lack of STRs.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the criteria for TDIU have been met since November 20, 2017.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus and anxiety associated with sleep problems, finding no new and material evidence that would support these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's testicle condition claim is denied as he does not have a present diagnosis and the preponderance of the evidence does not support an etiological link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities render him unemployable, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Veteran's Meniere’s syndrome and sinusitis were granted an initial 30 percent rating, but DIC based on the cause of death was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing the disability was incurred in or aggravated by service, including consideration of delayed-onset tinnitus.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as major depressive disorder, is also denied because there is no credible evidence linking it to service-connected eczema.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause him to be unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound was denied because none of his service-connected disabilities are rated as 100 percent disabling independently, and the threshold schedular requirement for housebound under any theory is not met.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot achilles tendon condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus. These conditions are deemed to have originated during military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus was denied, but the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea were reopened. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, while service connection for both tinnitus and sleep apnea remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability. The Board finds the Veteran's assertions regarding hearing loss are not competent evidence.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology.,For eczema, the Veteran's claim is remanded as the rating assigned (30%) does not reflect the extent of his skin condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and an acquired psychological disorder (including PTSD and depression) are all granted. The Veteran is also granted a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss disability.