Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

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

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 100 percent disabling, which renders the issue of TDIU moot as it no longer meets the criteria for a separate disability rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his condition manifested by shortness of breath and other conditions are denied. The issues of service connection for a left knee condition, right torn rotator cuff, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened, and he is now granted a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches. His PTSD claims were partially successful with a 70 percent rating from January 24, 2013 onwards. The compensable ratings for bilateral thigh scars and traumatic brain injury are pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began during active duty.,Bilateral hearing loss is not considered a disability for VA purposes due to the presence of normal auditory thresholds in all tested frequencies.,Service connection for major depressive and anxiety disorder remains denied, with an increased rating of 70% being granted. The Veteran's current condition does not meet criteria for total social impairment.,TDIU prior to May 9, 2014 was granted based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including carcinoma of the left vocal cord, traumatic arthritis and instability of the left knee, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral testicular disorder and tinea pedis are remanded due to the need for VA examinations.,The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for his right arm nerve injury, but his Vocational Rehabilitation assessment suggests he may be able to perform higher skill level employment if trained further. His PTSD and scar conditions also require consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements of in-service onset and continuity of symptoms are sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, finding no current disability. The Veteran's tinnitus and unspecified depressive disorder claims are remanded for further development.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of a current disability.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. The case of bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to missing audiological evaluation report from March 2013, which may impact effective dates and initial ratings for hearing loss in both ears and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and that there was no credible evidence of continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's self-reported noise exposure during military service is sufficient to establish a link between his current condition and his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied in March 2016. The Board found that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim. For his bilateral hearing loss, an increased rating is remanded due to a lapse of time since the last VA examination. For vertigo, a remand is also required as there are conflicting reports from the Veteran regarding its onset.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, but his unemployability is due to his psychiatric disorder and bilateral plantar fascitis. The Board has referred this issue to the Director of Compensation & Pension Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the primary cause of his currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. His tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction are all rated at their maximum schedular ratings. The seizure disorder claim has been remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for kidney disease, prostate cancer, hypertension (secondary to kidney disorder), and erectile dysfunction (secondary to prostate cancer) are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and an increased rating for his residual gunshot wound of the left shoulder due to insufficient evidence in the record.