Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these claims. The Veteran's symptoms are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or related to his military service, including noise exposure. The Board found the evidence against a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, and he is awarded a 10% rating for his hypertension. The claims of secondary service connection for urinary frequency, headaches, sleep condition, and skin condition to hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service and the weight of evidence does not support a finding that it is related to in-service acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's left shoulder labral tear is denied as there is no credible medical evidence or opinions linking the condition to active service. The examiner opined that the injury was more likely than not a recent injury, not caused many years prior by active service.,The Veteran's right shoulder labral tear is denied for similar reasons: lack of in-service injury and insufficient medical evidence connecting it to active service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10 percent as the highest schedular rating available. The Board found that referral for extraschedular consideration was not warranted due to no marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.,The Veteran's gastro-intestinal undiagnosed illness is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7319, which is the highest schedular rating available. The Board found that referral for extraschedular consideration was not warranted due to no marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Veteran's asthma is denied a rating in excess of 10 percent. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's tinnitus, finding that it is related to his military noise exposure and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted, but the case is remanded for additional development regarding left ear hearing loss and corroborating service in Korea.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 8, 2017 for service connection of tinnitus and hearing loss were denied as the earliest allowable date under VA regulations is August 8, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, leg, knee disabilities and tinnitus as there was no evidence of current disability related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

Entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.,Entitlement to initial compensable evaluations for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, as well as radiculopathy of the femoral nerve in both lower extremities, is remanded.,Entitlement to a TDIU prior to December 23, 2016, is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and military service.,Evidence showed in-service noise exposure but no evidence of hearing loss until over 45 years post-military discharge.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including a left leg disability, prostate condition, tinnitus, bilateral eye disability (glaucoma), skin disability (claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure), GERD, digestive disorder (ulcerative colitis and constipation), right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, and psychiatric disability. The decision was based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating allowed. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted and grants the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for a lumbar spine disorder and PFB.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right wrist strain. The claims of increased ratings for lumbar spine, right ankle strain with instability and fibrosis, and eczema have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.