Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right tibia fracture was denied. The claim for TDIU from November 7, 2008 to April 9, 2012 was granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were granted service connection effective June 19, 2008. A 30% rating was assigned for the entire appeal period prior to February 10, 2015, with a 40% rating beginning February 10, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was granted. His claims for depression, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral otitis media ear damage were denied. Service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted service connection. Right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, kidney condition, peripheral neuropathy of the hands, and feet as a result of exposure to herbicides are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure are credible and consistent with his service. The evidence supports a finding that each disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with other claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety and major depressive disorder), left foot disability, right foot disability, and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and melanoma) due to unresolved issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal on several issues.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, benign prostate hyperplasia with voiding problems (prostate disability), and hypertension.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, heart disease, diabetes, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The Board denied the Veteran's request for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy, and granted service connection for tinnitus.,The Veteran was diagnosed with blurred vision during service but no current visual impairment diagnosis has been established. His claim for service connection for blurred vision is denied.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims due to new and material evidence. The hearing loss and tinnitus cases are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher disability ratings for right ankle, sacroiliac joint, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active duty or are otherwise related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, but granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus.,Service connection was not established for the left knee disability or bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. However, the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral tinnitus is supported by his lay statements regarding symptoms experienced during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish that he had diabetes at any time during or approximate to the pendency of his claim. For eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant due to glaucoma (legal blindness), the Veteran was granted eligibility.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus. The claims for back and shoulder disabilities have been denied as they are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and skin rash.