Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The matter will be addressed with a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting hearing loss was aggravated by or during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is evidence to support these conditions had their onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected lung disability, to include pleural plaques due to asbestos exposure; entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and left ear hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder NOS) is remanded.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. TDIU benefits have not been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran was insane at the time of misconduct leading to his bad conduct discharge, thus removing any statutory or regulatory bar to VA benefits.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, liver cancer, colon cancer, stroke residuals, heart disorder, blood clot disorder, vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The remand includes obtaining medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of these conditions in relation to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination and instructed the examiner to address medical literature submitted by the Veteran. Another remand is required due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, vertigo, and ED based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 20, 2019. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to October 21, 2014 and from October 21, 2014 to May 19, 2019. TDIU was granted from May 20, 2019 to October 22, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and gambling disorder, are sufficient to render him unemployable without regard to his age or any nonservice-connected disorders. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claim for plantar fasciitis is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of plantar fasciitis related to his military service, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, residuals of a neck injury, and residuals of a head injury due to incomplete evaluations. Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of September 9, 2014. The effective date for the TDIU is set at this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied because he does not have a ratable disability in his left ear, as the required level of hearing loss has not been met.