Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, including audiological testing results from his VA visits, and undergo a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's high cholesterol is not service-connected and thus no rating is assigned.,Service connection for undiagnosed multi-symptom illness (Gulf War Syndrome) has been granted with a 40% disability rating, which is the maximum allowed under current criteria.,Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30%, which is the maximum allowed under current criteria. Tinnitus is rated at 10%. Valvular heart disease is rated at 70% (subject to regulations governing payment of monetary awards).,PTSD has been granted with a 70% disability rating, and COPD was not service-connected after April 23, 2013.,The Veteran's undiagnosed multi-symptom illness is rated based on the criteria for fibromyalgia. The Veteran does have separate ratings for his gastrointestinal symptoms (GERD) and skin condition (dermatitis or eczema).,COPD was not service-connected after April 23, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, tinnitus, headaches, a cervical spine disability, and dental issues. The claims are being returned to the RO for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability is denied as there is no evidence of any post-service left or right ankle disability. The Board finds that the current right ankle diagnosis does not constitute a chronic disability and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service.,Service connection for a sleep disorder secondary to her already service-connected psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining claims for upper back/bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral foot pain, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and poor circulation of the lower extremities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right arm disability, left knee disability, skin disabilities of the hands and feet are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to outstanding medical records and new evidence added since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for low back disability, left foot disability, migraines, and insomnia. The Veteran’s tinnitus is found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are causally related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 28, 2013.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed as VA records are requested to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty, active duty for training, and inactive duty for training with Army Reserve and Army National Guard units. The Veteran will also undergo a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, but he does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The case is being remanded for consideration of extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination regarding his back disability, as well as claims related to sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, anxiety, tinnitus, and a higher rating for migraine headaches. A statement of the case must be issued for these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma. The rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as there is at least equipoise evidence supporting this conclusion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, left knee disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, GERD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and obstructive sleep apnea have all been denied.,There is no effective date earlier than July 17, 2014 granted for any of the service connection claims.