Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to confirm the Veteran's periods of active duty and ACDUTRA service with the Army Reserve or National Guard, obtain any outstanding service treatment records, and provide a VA examination for tinnitus. The issues on appeal will be remanded for these actions.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for bilateral flatfoot and eczema are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The Board will consider all evidence, including STRs not previously available, in determining whether there is a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and an initial 50% rating for migraine headaches is granted throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin disorders (including early evolving melanoma and basal cell carcinoma) need further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for hypertension and right eye disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and to obtain updated VA examinations.,The Veteran has multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for various knee disorders, shoulder strain, wrist strain, thoracic spine compression fracture, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral plantar fasciitis with first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative arthritis, pansinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches. Additionally, he seeks service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and right flank condition with numbness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right leg peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus claims should be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 80 percent combined, but the Board finds that they do not render him unemployable due to his education and work experience. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent disability rating, which is the maximum schedular rating authorized under the applicable rating criteria. The Board finds no other applicable diagnostic code on which a higher schedular disability rating could be assigned for his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is considered a chronic disease and the Board finds that it began in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to inadequate examination based on incomplete conversion of service treatment records audiometric findings.

The Veteran's other recurrent major depressive disorder and PTSD are granted as secondary to his service-connected back and tinnitus disabilities. The rating for mechanical low back strain and arthritis of the spine remains at 20%. Separate 10% ratings are granted for left leg radiculopathy and right leg radiculopathy from September 19, 2018. Service connection is remanded for a left knee disorder and a right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The decision is based on the evidence not showing a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service-connected chondromalacia patella of the left knee and right knee are each granted a 10 percent evaluation, effective from February 1, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported symptoms are related to his in-service acoustic trauma and resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and tinnitus) prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issue of ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and PTSD.