Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis remains denied as the evidence does not show nasal polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides.,Service connection for ulcer, inflammatory bowel disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux/acid reflux/heartburn is remanded due to insufficient evidence. Further examination may be needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and a right lung disorder, both presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, but the claim for tinnitus was reopened and granted. The other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to July 1, 2016 for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for prostate cancer is granted. The issue of service connection for prostate cancer is reopened, but not decided on its merits due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claims for upper respiratory infection and pharyngitis are denied.,The Veteran's claim for cholecystitis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for diverticulitis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for basal cell carcinoma is denied.,The appeal for service connection for coronary artery disease is remanded.,The appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.,The appeal for service connection for prostate cancer is remanded.,The appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus was dismissed as the claim had been fully granted with a maximum schedular rating. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, was reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial in December 2010. Service connection for a left knee disability is denied, while service connection for a right knee disability remains pending with remand. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his right knee disability is also pending with remand. Service connection for bilateral hip disability is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least in equipoise with his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds the Veteran's statements that his tinnitus had its onset during service and has continued since to be competent and credible, and resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

Service connection for arthritis, headaches, and tinnitus was denied. The Veteran's service records did not show any diagnosis of these conditions during or after his military service.,Tinnitus received a maximum schedular rating (10%) as it is specifically listed in the rating schedule. No other diagnostic codes are potentially applicable which might afford a higher rating on an alternative basis.,No effective date earlier than November 4, 2016, was granted for tinnitus due to lack of prior intent to file a claim.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, bilateral knee, and tinnitus conditions were denied in a November 2013 rating decision. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims, and the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10% prior to May 4, 2017 and increased to 20% from May 4, 2017 to May 18, 2017. Since then, the rating has been denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of May 19, 1988.

The Board has found that the September 2018 addendum opinions do not substantially comply with the December 2017 remand, because they do not adequately address the relationship between the Veteran’s hazardous noise exposure and current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities. As such, another remand is required.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 5, 2017. His service-connected disabilities are deemed sufficient for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for tinnitus, back disability, bilateral pes planus, allergic rhinitis, migraines, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and degenerative changes of the right shoulder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions had their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board has found that the evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, thus reopening them. Service connection is granted for both conditions.