Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding records and audiograms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current tinnitus during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and tinnitus disabilities, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, heart disability, liver disability, GERD, and sleep disability due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to musculoskeletal disabilities, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine sprain, thoracolumbar spine strain, and abdominal muscle strain are all denied. The Board finds that VA examinations are required for the remaining claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of tinnitus and has determined that it had its onset during active duty service. The Board found that there was sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the current disability and service, including the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset of symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right hip disability, and bilateral knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for tuberculosis is denied due to lack of current diagnosis and failure to meet the three-year latency period post-service discharge.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service or within the one-year presumptive period, and he did not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss that began during active service. Therefore, his claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,For the period from July 25, 2017 to January 23, 2018, the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis manifested in painful motion but did not result in flexion limited to 45 degrees or less or extension limited to 5 degrees or more. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating is denied.,For the period beginning March 1, 2019, the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was rated at 30 percent and a higher evaluation of 60 percent is not warranted unless there are residuals such as severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending and remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for new VA medical opinions. The issues are inextricably intertwined as evidence suggests a potential link between the Veteran’s tinnitus and his hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU from May 7, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board has identified additional VA treatment records and VA Disability Questionnaires that were not previously considered. The Veteran was advised to have these reviewed by the AOJ before the Board makes a decision, but did not respond. Therefore, the case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, type II diabetes, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during service and is granted.,There is no evidence of a current left toe disability, denial for this issue.,The Veteran does not have a current back disability, hypertension, or erectile dysfunction related to service. Denial for these issues.,The right foot condition is attributed to diabetes mellitus rather than service. Denial for this issue.,The Veteran's chest pain (heart disability) was likely due to his pre-existing GERD and not service-related. Denial for this issue.,No rating assigned as the claims are denied.,No rating assigned as the claims are denied.,No rating assigned as the claims are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder condition and bilateral leg, hearing loss, tinnitus, rib condition, head injury, and left shoulder conditions. The claims were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating for Compensation Purposes Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim was previously denied, and the Board found that referral to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for extraschedular consideration is warranted.