Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate medical nexus opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied readjudication of the claim for hearing loss as no new and relevant evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 19, 2016. His TDIU claim was granted effective from November 4, 2018.

The Veteran's overpayment debt is due to concurrent receipt of disability compensation benefits and active service pay from December 1, 2016. The Board found the documents insufficient to determine the correct number of drill days and requested military pay records for FY 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and clarification of the Veteran's conditions, specifically regarding his abdomen and right ankle disabilities. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus (which were granted), and rating adjustments for the shell fragment wounds.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, tinnitus, dental disability, memory loss, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inability to verify the Appellant's claimed military service, specifically his Reserve service and active duty for training. The case will be returned to the RO for further development of these issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on hearing loss, tinnitus, and reopening the left knee claim before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's pes planus claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, cervical spine disability, left wrist sprain, left ankle disability, musculoskeletal strain (claimed as costochondritis Tietze's syndrome), otitis media, right ear, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to new evidence of ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating as it currently meets the criteria for a zero percent evaluation.,The Veteran's postoperative residuals of prostatectomy are rated at 20 percent due to urinary frequency issues. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his appeals regarding the service connection for various injuries and conditions. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further action consistent with the terms of a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded, as well as his TDIU prior to September 13, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia, including as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or secondary to tinnitus, is denied. The Board finds no credible evidence of the onset of insomnia during service and concludes that it is not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, including as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or secondary to tinnitus, is denied. The Board finds no credible evidence of the onset of headaches during service and concludes that they are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on a direct basis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the date of onset of tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity disabilities and several other conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. The Board has granted SMC benefits at the (r)(1) rate based on his need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. Additionally, the Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing as he meets the criteria for loss or use of both lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not causally related to his active duty service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.