Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, but the initial ratings are denied.,Service connection for residuals of head injury (claimed as traumatic brain injury) has been granted. Service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disability, dizziness disability, left ear disability, and sleep disability (to include obstructive sleep apnea) have not been established.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, blackouts/fainting, colon problems/irregular bowel movements, right shoulder disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, scoliosis of the spine, sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have all been denied.,The Board found that there was no evidence to support a service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted. The effective date for the award of PTSD is denied as it is moot since the claim was received after separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pes planus, tinnitus, tension headaches, or an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression. The TBI claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's continuous symptoms since service are in equipoise with his credible and consistent statements about the onset of ringing in his ears during service.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected physical disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is denied as the evidence does not show a current disability or relate to service.,PTSD was not diagnosed during service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The Veteran's tinnitus is also not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have resulted in a 70 percent rating since November 25, 2014. The Board has granted effective dates of November 25, 2014 for the Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. The Board denied an extraschedular rating and granted a TDIU from September 7, 2018 due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to July 27, 2017 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied. The October 29, 2010 notice of disagreement was not timely filed and the September 2012 decision denying it as untimely is final.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in aggregate, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his death. The appeal is remanded for substitution purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and tinnitus at 10 percent. The combined disability rating of 60 percent does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, a seizure disorder, and headaches due to additional development being required. Service connection is denied for hypotestosteronemia.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a head injury, and tinnitus. The cases are now remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia and PTSD), and a left shoulder condition due to insufficient medical opinions and missing evidence.