Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his bilateral tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol use disorder, right total hip replacement, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, result in his need for the aid of another to attend to needs of daily living or to avoid hazards incident to his daily environment. The Board has ordered new examinations to address this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment, and the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have not been met.

The Board has determined that the medical expenses incurred at Macon County General Hospital on July 21, 2012 were eligible for reimbursement due to the nature of the emergency and the unavailability of a VA facility.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to diabetes due to inaccuracies in the VHA physician's opinion and the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claim for diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected, and has remanded for further examination regarding his left eye condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, left knee condition, and chronic dry eyes due to incomplete development of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service exposure to jet engine noise, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that both conditions were incurred in and due to his time in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection for various conditions and increased ratings.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and has continued since then, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral foot condition due to missing VA treatment records. The Veteran is also denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's death was found to be due to service-connected coronary artery disease, and the claim for DIC benefits is granted. The claim for DIC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation beginning July 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, lumbar degenerative disc disease and small disc herniation, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran's service connection claims are not supported by evidence of a current disability or a link between his in-service exposure and any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, joint pain, back disorder, tinnitus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder are granted. However, the claim for lung disorder remains pending as no rating has been assigned.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral knee disability, and gastroenteritis. The new evidence received since the final denial is considered in conjunction with previous evidence of record and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran had a current disability and exposure to noise in service. The other claims were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or causal link to service.