Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for left hip disorder as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability and for tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of left shoulder injury and PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, hemorrhoids, residuals from hernia surgery, and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and physical impairments, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the highest rating being level I.,The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which represents the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, his hearing loss is denied, and he receives a 10% rating for his right thumb disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to unclear information about the Veteran's service in Iraq.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability, and therefore grants a total disability rating by reason of individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as she is already receiving the maximum schedular disability rating for this condition.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain with scoliosis is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology. Additional development, including obtaining medical opinions, is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if any of the Veteran's current disorders are related to service. The issues include herniated disc and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cataracts in both eyes, a disorder of the ring finger on the right hand, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, tinnitus, sleep disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be causally related to his active service.,The claim for tinnitus has been granted, with the decision noting that new evidence received after a previous denial supports reopening of this claim. The Board also finds that the Veteran’s tinnitus is related to his service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and left leg disability are not service-connected.,The Veteran's back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are not service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but the right foot disability remains unaddressed due to a duty-to-assist error.,Tinnitus is service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have continued since then. Service connection was denied for hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right toe disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including a bilateral foot condition, right knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues related to tinnitus have been addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and fibromyalgia were denied. The claim for reopening of the previously denied tinnitus was also denied.