Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for onychomycosis, but remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus and gout due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not established, as there is no evidence of a link between his current conditions and in-service noise exposure.,Regarding the psychiatric disorder claim, the Board has remanded it to allow further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the service-connected hearing loss. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and vertigo or dizziness remain pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 is presumed service-connected due to herbicide exposure. His hypertension and hearing loss are considered secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The tinnitus is also considered secondary to the service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including CRPS, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral arm and leg disabilities, tinnitus, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also being asked to provide medical records related to his service-connected plantar neuropathy of the feet.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated based on their current severity. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and an examination to assess the current severity of these conditions, with particular attention to any symptoms of dizziness or lack of balance.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal request.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder, claimed as a wart like growth, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal request.,A 10 percent rating is granted for the right knee disability, effective from April 26, 2013.,Service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to the service-connected right knee disability is remanded.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder secondary to the service-connected right knee disability is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lower right arm scar, and back pain with stiffness are not granted. The cases have been remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability and his TDIU claim have both been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the hearing loss disability, as it was rated at Level I in each ear, resulting in a noncompensable (0%) disability rating. For the TDIU claim, the Veteran's combined service-connected disability evaluation of 10% did not meet the schedular requirement for a TDIU.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as he withdrew from appeal all pending claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection, but a higher rating is denied. The left knee injury claim has been remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The passage of time between service and the onset of symptoms also weighed against a grant of service connection.

The appeal to reopen claims for service connection for a low back disability, tinnitus, and TBI is granted. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further examination of the Veteran's tinnitus.