Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no direct nexus to service, and the evidence did not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or chronicity of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for a back disability. For the other conditions, the Board determined there was no in-service injury or disease related to these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), high cholesterol, hernia, basal cell cancer, purpura of the distal forearms, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and unspecified depressive disorder. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, diabetes, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to work since June 1, 2011. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the combined impact of these conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD with major depressive disorder, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unemployable as of January 19, 2012. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of current disability in the left ear. For tinnitus, there is no evidence of a nexus between active service and the condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The issue of tinnitus is withdrawn by the Veteran, and the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection claims have been denied. His tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and he does not have any diagnosed ear disabilities other than his service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a compensable rating for generalized periodontitis and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea before the Board could issue a decision. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, cervical spine, and lumbar spine. However, it has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence establishing a current disability and/or a link between the claimed conditions and service. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for PTSD, but did not find any material evidence relating to the left hip disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial noncompensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and the maximum schedular disability rating of 10 percent for tinnitus are maintained.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and finds that it had its onset during service and is etiologically related to service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The appeals for ischemic heart disease and hepatitis C were withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, back disability, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, headaches, and organic mental disorder have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it was incurred due to hazardous noise exposure from tanks during ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA training exercises in the Marine Corps Reserve. The separate ear disorder issue is denied as not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, ED, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.,There was no chronicity of symptoms related to these conditions in service or within one year post-service separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease is rated at 20 percent effective from July 7, 2010. The Board denied an increased rating for the disability prior to that date.