Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left and right foot hammer toes, a skin condition (warts removed from both hands), and an ovarian cyst are all denied. The claim for service connection of the skin condition is granted as it was pre-existing and resolved following menopause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his cervical spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 23, 2008.

The Board denied entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) on the basis of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to septic shock resulting from acute respiratory failure, healthcare-associated pneumonia, and systolic heart failure. The Board found that there was no evidence linking a service-connected disability to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's requests for service connection on the merits are remanded due to scheduling issues and a hearing request.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, CAD, hypertension, CVA, seizures, left arm disability, right arm disability, right eye disability, tinnitus, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal disability, scars, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service due to noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral chronic otitis media, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of current diagnosis of these conditions during the pendency of his claim. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and individual unemployability was denied. For the PTSD, a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 30, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent effective September 30, 2019 is not warranted based on his symptoms. For IU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination report. The Veteran's lay statements, including his service in an infantry unit and reports of ringing in the ears, are considered.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The initial ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees were denied, but a separate rating of 10 percent for recurrent subluxation of both knees was granted. Service connection for hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for ischemic heart disease prior to March 24, 2016 was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not show a METs level less than 7-10.,For the period beginning March 24, 2016, the Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU was granted due to his ischemic heart disease.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and asthma, but denied service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed related to noise exposure in service. His asthma existed prior to service and was aggravated by service. However, the Board found no evidence of a TBI during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including verification of in-service stressors for PTSD. Service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of chronic tinnitus in service or within a presumptive period. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), a low back disability, and a lung disability are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a back condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus due to inconsistencies in the audiometric results provided during the August 2019 examination. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to service, including noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service. The decision on tinnitus remains denied.