Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied.,Service connection for COPD is denied.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for a left ankle condition is denied.,Service connection for sterility is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected external otitis, including determining its extent and severity, attributing symptoms to the condition, and assessing whether other diagnoses are proximately caused or aggravated by it. The claim will be referred to the Director of Compensation if extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the issuance of the remand.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing an in-service onset or link to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset in service due to noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, scars, and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 22, 2013. As such, TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical examination. The issues include tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety), erectile dysfunction, flat feet, right knee injury, and left knee injury.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus was denied, as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,An initial evaluation of 50 percent for depressive disorder was granted, subject to controlling regulations applicable to the payment of monetary benefits. The Veteran’s depressive disorder symptoms include depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, disturbances of motivation and mood, impaired judgment, and panic attacks more than once a week.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was remanded. The condition manifests with painful motion and flexion better than 45 degrees.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for further medical opinion.,Service connection has been established for tinnitus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is REMANDED due to missing VA medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to noise during active duty service is sufficient evidence of in-service injury. However, service connection for a neck disability was denied due to the Veteran's own willful misconduct resulting from alcohol consumption.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service. The Veteran's current conditions were attributed to post-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and paroxysmal positional vertigo are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for a scar from right inguinal hernia repair due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which is now reopened. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin cancer, and ischemic heart disease. The claims are being remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.,Service connection was denied for cervical, low back, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran did not have TBI or a vision problem at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from performing physical labor and office-type work since at least August 12, 2013. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU have been met since at least August 12, 2013.