Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under VA regulations. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for back, right and left knee disorders, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination as the current VA examiner's findings are insufficient.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including an earlier effective date for tinnitus and ischemic heart disease (congestive heart failure), as well as a disability rating for ischemic heart disease. The effective dates remain pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent, as the audiometric findings do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent. The Veteran has submitted new evidence suggesting his PTSD symptoms are more severe and warrant an increased rating to 70 percent.,Tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, as there is no higher schedular evaluation available for tinnitus under the Rating Schedule.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, deltoid ligament osteoarthritis of the right ankle, pulmonary hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for deltoid ligament osteoarthritis of the right ankle was denied as there is no limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, but denied the claim for left ear hearing loss. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but not for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims to reopen his service connection for carpal tunnel with peripheral neuropathy, left and right upper extremity are denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his military service. The appeal seeking service connection for removal of four teeth was dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and adjustment disorder. The effective date of the grant of service connection for prostate cancer was set at June 27, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow disability, right elbow disability, bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and PTSD. The claim for increased rating of tinnitus was also denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for TBI residuals, increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, increased rating for tinnitus, and increased rating for forehead scar due to additional development needs.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to noise exposure in service. Service connection was denied for middle ear damage and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea case is remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by active service.,There is no evidence of current symptoms or diagnoses of tinnitus during service. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure did not result in a compensable degree of tinnitus within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and origin of these disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, but granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic bilateral foot strain.,Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic bilateral foot strain. Service connection for right ear hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus, lumbar spine scoliosis and arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, radiculopathy of the upper left extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been granted service connection and increased ratings. The Veteran received a 40 percent disability rating for her lumbar spine scoliosis and arthritis as of January 19, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current disability, the evidence does not show a nexus to service, and the criteria for presumptive service connection are not met.