Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and hearing loss have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus due to the Appellant's ACDUTRA, but denied service connection for low back disorder as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The AOJ will review this evidence and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. The issue of service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's low back, bilateral hip, bilateral knee and bilateral ankle disabilities are found to be service-connected due to in-service hard landings and other stresses. The Veteran's prostate cancer is not entitled to a temporary total evaluation or an initial rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected tinnitus.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for left ear hearing loss, upper respiratory disability including sleep apnea, and hypertension are remanded.,Service connection for hepatitis A and B is denied.

The Board has determined that the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma, service connection for hearing loss, service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for IBS are still pending. The RO is instructed to consider all evidence since the July 2017 SOC in its consideration of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer was dismissed. The claim for diabetes mellitus, presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service, is granted. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, as there are outstanding VA treatment records to be obtained and a new VA examination is needed for hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder will also require verification of stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions had their onset during military service and are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made him unable to secure and follow gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating. However, additional evidence is needed from SSA records and VA examinations to clarify the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, both rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service exposure to noise. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and migraine headaches are found to have begun during service.,Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but the hearing loss claim requires additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because his employment as a construction cost estimator, which he has held since retiring in 2005 and continues to hold part-time, is considered substantially gainful employment rather than marginal employment. The Board found that the Veteran’s employer did not provide protected or sheltered work environment for him.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The back disability is not granted an increased rating, but a TDIU is granted.