Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as his conditions prevent him from working in most positions due to frequent bathroom breaks and concentration issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence to substantiate his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 90 percent disabling since September 23, 2012. The Board has granted restoration of disability ratings for migraines, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as well as TDIU from September 23, 2012 to September 22, 2013.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right elbow condition, lower back pain, right hip condition, left hip condition, and tinnitus.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or illness related to these conditions. The Veteran's service treatment records do not indicate any complaints or treatment for these conditions during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for intervertebral disc degeneration, degenerative spurring C3-4, a left foot condition, and tinnitus. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the TDIU claim is granted. The left elbow disability issue remains pending due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, while the right ear hearing loss is remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo due to insufficient evidence in the record. Additional development is needed including obtaining medical records from the Veteran's treatment at Charleston Naval Base and private emergency room visits. New VA examinations are also required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted in an April 2018 rating decision, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no allegations of error of fact or law to consider.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, particularly those related to service connection. The claims for tinnitus and bilateral foot disability have been granted, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several service connection claims and the reopening of a claim, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or chronicity within one year from separation. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder) and obstructive sleep apnea have been remanded due to incomplete development.,The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The effective date will be fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than June 12, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner regarding the relationship between service exposure and current conditions.