Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded his claims for a back disability and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for service connection and evaluations, including those related to the Veteran's left shoulder, low back, right shoulder, cervical spine, left leg, right leg, bilateral eye, sleep-related symptoms, prostate, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The remand also includes a request for additional medical records from SSA and VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to a lack of information from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The AOJ is instructed to request all relevant SSA records, including copies of the appellant’s application and decision. If these records are unavailable, the AOJ should notify the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current tinnitus and his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as there is no evidence of service connection or a relationship to service.,A 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted, but the Veteran’s right knee instability remains noncompensable.,The Veteran's left breast scar does not meet criteria for a compensable rating under current VA guidelines.,The extension of the temporary total evaluation beyond August 31, 2015 for convalescence following surgery for a service-connected left knee disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinion regarding in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for tinnitus is granted, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and a dental condition.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, upper back disability, lower back disability, sleep apnea, and prostate disability.,Service connection is not granted as the Veteran did not have a current disability at separation from service or within one year of separation. The Board also found no nexus between any in-service disease or injury and these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his hearing loss and tinnitus did not prevent him from working.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not show that these conditions were caused by military noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, ear condition including Meniere's disease and tinnitus due to potential worsening of symptoms and need for updated medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The cases for higher disability ratings for PTSD and migraines are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are closely linked.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied a higher rating for his hearing loss and granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,An increase in the rating for tinnitus is denied, as it already reaches the maximum available rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or onset within one year post-service. The Veteran's current symptoms are not linked to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus should be remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Veteran was already receiving the maximum schedular rating for his tinnitus, and there is no evidence of exceptional circumstances warranting extra-schedular consideration.