Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during active service or within one year of service discharge, and is not otherwise related to active service.

The Board has denied claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and left hip disability. The claim for service connection for left knee disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 19, 2013. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his combined disability rating of 90 percent.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, bilateral ear disability (Eustachian tube dysfunction), depressive disorder, bilateral ingrown toenail, Morton's metatarsalgia, interdigital neuroma within second and third toes of the left foot, migraine headaches, jaw residuals involving the 5th cranial nerve on both sides, GERD, chronic lumbar sprain, residuals of a left ring finger fracture, and left thigh scar.,The Veteran's current symptoms are consistent with his in-service complaints and diagnoses.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis, claimed as chronic allergies, is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent as of April 20, 2015. Effective from July 15, 2016, the Veteran is entitled to TDIU due to his depressive disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for tinnitus. The July 2008 rating decision denying service connection for a bilateral foot disorder became final, and no new and material evidence was received to reopen this claim. For the entire rating period on appeal from March 29, 2010, the criteria for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the right knee disability have not been met or more nearly approximated. The Veteran is granted a separate 20 percent disability rating for moderate instability of the right knee. For the entire rating period on appeal from March 29, 2010, the criteria for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee disability have not been met or more nearly approximated. The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for mild instability of the left knee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, conduct VA examinations, and determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's loss of balance is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise and reasonable doubt must be resolved in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus, which is found to be related to his active duty. However, the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety) was denied as there is no credible evidence supporting a verified in-service stressor or fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have originated in service or is otherwise attributable to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected tinnitus is denied. The claim of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss requires additional development as the most recent VA examination was conducted in 2011 and does not include puretone thresholds at 3000 Hertz.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military noise exposure, which is granted as direct service connection.

The Veteran's right middle finger disability is rated at 10 percent, reflecting a gap of 2.5 centimeters between the fingertip and proximal transverse crease of the palm.,Service connection for tinnitus has been established based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, as it is at least as likely as not incurred in service due to noise exposure. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss, as it is at least as likely as not incurred in service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for eczema, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA clinical documentation and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, lower back condition, bilateral knee condition, and skin disorder.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent since December 20, 2012.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected due to exposure to loud noise during service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted based on the presumption of service connection.