Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding his separation examination and potential noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure, including consideration of delayed onset hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) as it was not shown to be etiologically related to his service or to have been caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied a compensable rating prior to August 4, 2016 and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent from that date.,An initial tinnitus disability rating in excess of 10 percent was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for glaucoma and ischemic heart disease has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.,Tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity have all been granted service connection. The Veteran's hypertension and a skin disability (to include chloracne) are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for tinnitus was granted, and the claim for service connection for tinnitus is now granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received after the prior final May 2009 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed for various issues, including service connection for BPH with polyuria and tinnitus. The Veteran also had his initial ratings for left knee scars, right scrotum tender scar, and left knee scars dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded several issues including bilateral impaired vision, hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance abuse, and insomnia), and residuals of a burn to face.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated evidence of current severity and a comprehensive opinion on his ability to work.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for tinnitus before a decision was made.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and impetigo, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and a rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus. The issues include psychiatric disability (PTSD), lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity neurological disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right calf disability, left calf disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus had its onset during active duty service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examinations in June 2015. The Veteran was not present at his scheduled VA examinations, and the case is being returned to provide him with another opportunity to attend.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.