Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260.,Sleep apnea requires a CPAP machine but does not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating as there are no symptoms warranting such a high level of disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The AOJ must obtain additional medical records, request clarifying opinions from a VA examiner, and conduct any other necessary development.

The Board has found that service connection is warranted for tinnitus, but the case of bilateral hearing loss must be remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied an earlier effective date for tinnitus. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, while his tinnitus claim was not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, deviated septum, tinnitus, glaucoma, and sinusitis have all been denied.,An initial schedular rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has also been denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the final June 2016 rating decision.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions had onset in, or are otherwise related to, his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, particularly regarding his acquired psychiatric condition. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's PTSD is assigned a 70% rating effective March 9, 2017. Claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral and cervical spine disabilities, as well as TDIU, are dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection and increased rating for bilateral pes planus, as well as his application to reopen claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding insufficient evidence to establish a current disability or a link between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board finds that the Veteran did not have tinnitus during service or within one year thereafter.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as due to herbicide exposure, has also been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing the Veteran served in Vietnam and thus could not establish presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder remains pending and is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to exposure to loud noise during active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine issues, fibromyalgia, and others, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy are all granted as service connected. The claims for these conditions were reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus have been withdrawn.,The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including back condition, right knee condition, left ankle injury, right wrist condition, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder (to include insomnia), and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion due to conflicting medical opinions.,Bilateral hearing loss is also remanded for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the prior decision. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, but his bilateral hearing loss claim requires additional medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record.