Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining claims, including service connection for various conditions, are remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a need to reconcile two VA claim files, one of which may contain relevant evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical examination in May 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his disabilities did not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations and provide etiology opinions regarding his back, bilateral knee, hand, hearing loss, and tinnitus conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right hand numbness and right back pain, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his circular skin scar left posterior lateral mid trunk (previously diagnosed as s/p stab wound to left posterior axillary line) are remanded.,The Board also remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder weakness.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU from June 2015.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted, and his initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral flat feet, unspecified anxiety disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder (psychiatric disability), migraine headaches, and kidney disability have been granted. The claim for acne was denied. Effective November 17, 2015, the Veteran is now receiving a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors, but his claim for tinnitus was granted. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted and others were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and bilateral diabetic retinopathy. Service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity is also granted.,Service connection for a bilateral eye disability other than diabetic retinopathy (residuals of retinal detachment and cataracts with pseudophakia) remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The cases of left knee, right knee, and right foot disabilities are remanded for further development. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) remains in dispute.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for a low back disability is remanded.,The claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus remains denied as the appellant is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,The claim for a low back disability is remanded due to lack of evidence on record regarding its onset and etiology during service.,The claim for a right lazy eye is remanded due to lack of evidence on record regarding its onset and etiology during service.,The claims for migraines (including as aggravated by tinnitus) and psychiatric disability (including as aggravated by tinnitus) are both remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.,The claim for an effective date earlier than May 29, 2013, for service connection of tinnitus is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding insufficient evidence to link the condition to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, blood disorder, penis deformity, renal disability, anemia, purpura, poliomyelitis (claimed as secondary to Camp Lejeune), lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his active duty service and his current condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been granted. However, his increased rating claim for PTSD has been remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous examination.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disabilities, a left ankle disability, tinnitus, bronchitis, headaches (secondary to rhinitis), and sleep apnea. The claims are remanded for further development in several areas.