Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus and erectile dysfunction are granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss, right testicle removal, scar associated with right radical orchiectomy, and perforated tympanic membrane do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a separate schedular 10 percent rating for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the current 10 percent disability rating is the maximum schedular rating. The case of right ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted since the September 2014 rating decision. The claim for service connection for arthritis of the joints is being remanded.,Service connection will be further evaluated for hearing loss, tinnitus, and arthritis of the joints based on the current medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbosacral spine disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment beginning April 7, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's esophageal cancer, which contributed to his death. The examiner is required to provide opinions on whether each service-connected disability contributed substantially or materially to death and if it aided in the production of death.

The Board has granted service connection for sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus in the left ear, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Fibromyalgia with IBS, and chronic sinusitis, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has found new and material evidence to support these claims. The appeals are granted in part.

The Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has continued to the present, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for brain disease due to trauma (TBI) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of right shoulder disorder and left upper extremity radiculopathy. Effective dates are assigned based on when evidence shows an increase in disability severity.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU has also been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease. The right foot disability claim is denied with a remand for further review. Other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claims for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and prostatitis were denied as there is no direct or presumptive link between these conditions and his military service.,Tinnitus was denied because the Veteran's current diagnosis could not be linked to in-service noise exposure, and the VA examiner found that the condition more likely than not did not have a relationship with his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 30, 2016 is granted as his service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria and render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran did not have a current right ankle disability or bilateral hearing loss at the time of his separation from service. There is no evidence of noise exposure in service that could cause tinnitus.,There was no significant threshold shift in the Veteran's hearing during service, and there is no probative medical evidence linking his current bilateral hearing loss to service.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss have been denied. The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss, as he reported worsening symptoms at his January 2018 hearing. His TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the increased rating issue.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for all service connection claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.