Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The skin disability claim is remanded.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for postoperative appendicitis residuals including peritonitis and bowel fistula, prior to July 16, 2014, and a rating in excess of 30 percent effective July 16, 2014. The Board also denied entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The claims for service connection for PTSD and left ear hearing loss are granted, with the latter being effective from when new evidence was received. TDIU is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition has been present since and is attributable to military service.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) due to military sexual trauma.,Service connection is granted for GERD, claimed as acid reflux and hiatal hernia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asbestosis, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, left knee disability, and folliculitis were granted effective January 17, 2017.,Claims for higher ratings for tinnitus, left knee disability, and folliculitis remain denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Veteran's basal cell carcinoma is remanded for further evaluation due to a lack of VA examination, and his PTSD rating is also remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is required before it can address the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vision impairment (glaucoma and cataracts) is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during or after service, and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a relationship with service.,Service connection granted for tinnitus. The Veteran reported that his tinnitus began in service and has persisted since then.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a disability under VA standards. The in-service noise exposure is acknowledged, but the evidence does not support a link between the current conditions and service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disability, chronic tinea pedis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records and assist the Veteran in identifying his military occupational specialty and any noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

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

The Veteran's claim for a left arm disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any current left arm condition began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted as it is related to his active service.,The Veteran's claims for a back disability, eye disability, skin disability (including rash, scabies, nevus, and eczema), and herpes simplex virus are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.,The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence or argument to establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, cold residuals in both lower extremities, and tinnitus. The combined disability rating is at least 90 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, tinnitus, respiratory condition, and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) due to incomplete records.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated at the maximum allowable levels, while his psychiatric disorder remains at a 50% rating. The Board has remanded these issues for further evaluation.