Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was granted. The Board found new and material evidence supporting the reopening of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions in his June 2015 VA examination. The examiner must provide new opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service, with consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and article on causes of hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, right upper extremity neuropathy, and anxiety as there is no current disability in any of these conditions that meets VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection on appeal must be remanded due to incomplete development and verification of his National Guard service periods.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,No rating assigned as no disability is currently in effect.

The Board has decided to remand the TDIU claim due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran and outstanding records that need to be obtained. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that there is a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, but further development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The appeals on both the bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus issues have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to December 8, 2015 due to the limitations associated with his service-connected disabilities not rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic lumbar spine disorder, chronic cervical spine disorder, and chronic knee disorders due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 0 percent, the lowest possible rating. The Veteran's tinnitus has also been rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating.,Service connection for right hip scars was granted effective October 19, 2011, but the Veteran contends he should have received an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the combined evaluation of 60 percent from March 8, 2012 to November 18, 2015; and 80 percent from November 19, 2015 is correctly calculated based on the service-connected disability evaluations in effect at that time. The appeal for a higher combined evaluation is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of proper notice and scheduling for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The claim for an intestinal disorder (IBS and diverticulitis) and bilateral pes planus has been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's back disability is not related to service, and the appeal for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's asthma was not caused or aggravated by service, and the appeal for this condition is denied.,Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered to have had their onset during active duty service, and he is granted service connection for these conditions.,A right knee/leg disability is not related to service, and the appeal for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence received after his previous denial, and for additional examinations.