Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is a current disability and that it arose in service due to exposure to noise during active duty. The decision is granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran's tinnitus arose in service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and tinnitus were denied as the earliest date of receipt of claim is later than the date entitlement arose.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during service and continues to the present, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal for entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected residuals of left long finger. The claim of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased evaluations of corneal scars and tinnitus, as well as the TDIU claim during a hearing before the Board. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and updated outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of spinal surgery and left shoulder disability have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, depression, recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder, and degenerative arthritis remains pending. The Board finds that VA medical opinions are necessary to decide those claims.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for various conditions, but denied them on the merits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since July 1, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 12, 2005.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral knee conditions, PTSD, or hearing loss/tinnitus.

The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable effective February 11, 2009. The Board restored the original rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU rating as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of TDIU is remanded as it depends on the outcome of these newly granted claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain federal employee examination records and for a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disability. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his service, with noise exposure being a significant factor. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle ganglion cyst, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, and headaches have been granted. The Veteran is also assigned a 10% disability rating for his headaches.