Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 9, 2019 is denied.,The Veteran's rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from April 9, 2019 is also denied.

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

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 30, 2014. The effective date for TDIU is denied as the Veteran met the schedular requirements for entitlement to TDIU after that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or within a presumptive period, and that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus between the conditions and military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the initial TBI VA examination was inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's reported symptoms are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale in the December 2017 VA examiner's opinion, a need for additional development, and consideration of lay statements.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The right ear hearing loss case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for hearing loss and tinnitus was dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and ratings for certain disabilities. The specific issues include dental disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, ear infections, sleep apnea, arm and elbow disorders, frostbite residuals, low back disorder, sciatic nerve disorder, psychiatric disorders, pes planus, gout in the lower extremities, bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service. The hearing loss claim is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, visual impairment, and a convulsive disorder due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between service and these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during his active service and affirms the grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sensorineural bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The conditions were found to be related to exposure to excessive military noise during combat in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no legal basis for the assigned schedular evaluations, effective dates, or determinations regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED as directed below.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,A rating of 20 percent for right ankle strain since May 14, 2019, is granted. Prior to that date, a maximum rating of 10 percent is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of complete medical records, particularly from VA Loma Linda Medical Center. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on in-service noise exposure during his Marine Corps training.