Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence, specifically the lack of a VA examination since the Veteran's service treatment records were added to his file.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating of other specified depressive disorder associated with tinnitus and a TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep disability, headaches, an increased rating for a right ankle disability, and an earlier effective date for PTSD. The RO is instructed to issue supplemental statements of the case on these issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for right knee disability, higher initial ratings for tinnitus and irritable bowel syndrome, and earlier effective dates for service connection of these conditions. The issues related to left knee iliotibial band syndrome, hearing loss, and sleep apnea are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus and headaches are granted service connection. The lower back disability and right leg and foot disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise levels.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted effective April 17, 2017. Service connection was established for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure and secondary to diabetes mellitus, and anxiety disorder.,Anxiety disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent disability rating, and the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied. The left ear hearing loss disability remains unresolved due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and ischemic heart disease (IHD) have been reopened, but the Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to grant these claims.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus related to his active service. However, he does not have a confirmed diagnosis of IHD.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether PTSD aggravated dementia, which was a contributing factor to the Veteran's death. The Veteran had service-connected disabilities but did not meet the legal criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, with the claims being granted.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin disorder, PTSD, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities meeting the criteria for service connection on a direct basis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and right leg amputation as secondary to cellulitis due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran is also denied a compensable rating for cellulitis.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a separate 10 percent rating for cranial nerve VII due to Frey Syndrome should not be earlier than March 2, 2015. The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected. The appeal for an increased initial rating for PTSD is dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260, resulting in a denial of an increased rating.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 30 percent since February 2015 and no higher ratings are supported by the evidence.,The RO reduced the Veteran’s post-traumatic headaches from 10 to 0 percent effective February 27, 2015 without proper notice or a proposed rating reduction, making this reduction void ab initio. The disability rating of 10 percent is restored as of February 27, 2015.,The Veteran's disfigurement from a right occipital scar and tender right occipital scar are both rated at the maximum allowable under their respective diagnostic codes (38 C.F.R. § 4.118).,The effective date for the grant of TDIU is granted as March 7, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been remanded. His claim for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the absence of a current disability. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted, and his claim for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.