Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Right knee arthritis, patellafemoral syndrome, left knee arthritis, and right ankle arthritis are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TMJ and IBS, as well as service connection for tinnitus and OSA are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as they are not adequately addressed in the current record.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of a compensable disability during the appeal period.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease, and insufficient continuity of symptoms since service. The examiner will be asked to provide an addendum opinion regarding this issue.

Service connection for brain cancer with bilateral cataracts was severed due to lack of radiation exposure during service.,Service connection for vertigo and tinnitus associated with brain cancer with bilateral cataracts was also severed as they are not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability at the time of his claims and there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, right lower extremity vein disability, and left lower extremity vein disability due to a lack of current disabilities.

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

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of current disability. The claim for low back strain has been remanded due to the need for further examination.,Service connection for low back strain has been granted with a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus based on exposure to loud noise during active duty, finding that symptoms began during service and have been continuous since then. The decision is based on the presumption of service connection due to acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to missing Social Security Administration records. The AOJ must obtain and associate these records with the claims file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not incurred in service, granting service connection for these conditions.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, to include secondary to tinnitus, hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal was also remanded for additional examinations related to total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation due to need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disease due to asbestos exposure are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, duodenal ulcer with Barrett's esophagus and GERD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,His bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his preexisting conditions worsened during active duty. The decision also grants the reopening of previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus has been granted. The right knee disorder claim is reopened, but the initial compensable rating for headache disorder remains pending as it requires further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, cervical spine disorder, cephalgia, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's paresthesias of the right and left sciatic nerves are rated at a minimum 20 percent.