Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his period of service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for a lower back disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The claim for tinnitus remains denied as new evidence does not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate it. The claim for loss of teeth is denied due to lack of a current disability characterization. The claim for hyperlipidemia is denied because it is a laboratory finding. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea due to outstanding private treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 20, 2017 and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss on September 20, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The decision also grants secondary service connection for tinnitus as it is associated with his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted. The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss remains in need of further review as it was not addressed with a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee, ankle, and foot disorders, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of service treatment records (STRs) and military personnel records (MPRs).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began during his military service and is related to loud noise exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including neurodermatitis and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. Recurrent tinnitus and gynecological disabilities, specifically uterine fibroids, are remanded for further development. The total hysterectomy is also remanded as it may be secondary to the uterine fibroid.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status as he does not have a single, permanent service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and is not permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection as it is presumed to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service. Other claims for various conditions were denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for tinnitus before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Tinnitus was not incurred during service and the preponderance of the evidence does not support its connection to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxious distress has been rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.