Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there was no evidence of hearing changes during service. Right knee disability and low back disability were also not incurred or aggravated in service.,Right knee disability and low back disability were not incurred or aggravated in service, as the Veteran did not report any such issues at separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent is already assigned.

The Veteran's tinnitus, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have not been evaluated due to the lack of a VA examination.,Service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is remanded.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The right knee disability case is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and prostate disability are denied. The case is remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an ear disability (chronic suppurative otitis media) due to a duty to assist error in his service treatment records. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination to determine the probable nature and etiology of any diagnosed disabilities of the bilateral ears.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied, as the evidence did not support higher ratings. The appeal for TDIU was also denied due to insufficient evidence showing the Veteran is unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone renders him unemployable, qualifying for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status.

The Board has determined that the VA audiological examination did not provide an adequate rationale regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities had their onset in service or are otherwise related to service. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back disability. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remains pending.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to potential errors in the previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they were previously denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his service. The case is now pending again with a new examination required.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted, but the claim for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claims for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss were denied, with the latter being remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted as the evidence is in equipoise, and his hearing loss claim is denied due to lack of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his right knee disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted total disability rating based on individual unemployability.