Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, while his right ear hearing loss has been denied. The Veteran's left shoulder disability has also been granted a rating of 20 percent.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a rash of the bilateral legs is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus symptoms have been continuous since service separation, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection based on 'continuous' post-service symptoms.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for tinnitus is now considered substantiated, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and chronic insomnia. Service connection was denied for cervical spine disability and sleep apnea.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of in-service audiograms, which are necessary to make an informed decision.

The Veteran's claims for cardiomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly, and deviated septum were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these issues.,Tinnitus was granted service connection based on in-service noise exposure and current symptomatology.,An acquired psychiatric disability (depression) was granted service connection due to in-service experiences and post-deployment health re-assessment reports.,Allergic rhinitis was granted service connection based on in-service symptoms and current diagnosis.,Hypertension was granted service connection as it began during active duty, with evidence of elevated blood pressure readings.,Varicocele was granted service connection due to a left varicocele noted at separation and subsequent CT scan showing the condition.,A skin disability (eczema and cellulitis) was granted service connection based on in-service rashes and current diagnosis.,Gastrointestinal disability (hiatal hernia and diverticulosis) was granted service connection due to symptoms beginning during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's statements about its onset during service are credible and outweighing the opinions of VA examiners who did not consider these statements.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been granted as it was proximately caused by service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, CAD, and gastritis need to be remanded due to incomplete STRs and missing military personnel records. The claim for gastritis must also be remanded as it requires a direct service connection opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and effective date claims related to TBI residuals, headache disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, PTSD with depressive disorder, and left eyebrow scar residuals. The issues of increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD with depressive disorder; and entitlement to total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors. The issues of headaches, left foot disability, and tinnitus are being remanded as there were insufficient opinions provided regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be of such severity that they preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) in response to the May 2009 rating decision was not filed within one year of the denial.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to earlier effective date for tinnitus based on CUE is also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the unavailability of service treatment records and the need for further verification of in-service stressors related to PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded his claim for COPD due to insufficient evidence.