Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his request for a TDIU (Total Disability Independent of Rating) was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for further development due to missing medical records and incomplete submissions. The appellant will be asked to provide VA permission to obtain additional relevant medical records from various doctors.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. Bilateral hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, while tinnitus is considered a symptom of the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, is also denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the in-service stressor occurred.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition. The case of tinnitus, however, requires further examination as the current evidence does not establish a clear link between the Veteran's current tinnitus and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to unclear evidence regarding in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. The VA will obtain additional medical records, determine if the Veteran was assigned to an artillery unit during service, and schedule a VA audiological examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise with regard to showing these conditions are associated with the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to August 22, 2016. From August 22, 2016 forward, the Veteran has a combined 100 percent schedular rating and is already receiving maximum benefits for his disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The nature and etiology of his psychiatric symptoms, including adjustment disorder, remain at issue and require further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a new VA opinion if the Veteran provides credible lay statements regarding continuous symptoms since his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for left and right knee disorders is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's increased PTSD rating and service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disorder, and hypertension have all been denied. The Board found that the current evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA will need to obtain an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.,Service connection for tinnitus has also been denied due to the lack of an established onset date and conflicting medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between service exposure to noise and current hearing conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities, particularly DDD of the lumbar spine. The examiner should consider the impact on his ability to function in an occupational environment.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss disability have been rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted, but has remanded for extraschedular consideration due to additional symptoms impacting employment.