Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The character of the Veteran’s discharge from service has been upgraded to 'under honorable conditions (general)' by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records, removing any prior bar to VA benefits. The issues regarding PTSD, right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disorder are referred to the AOJ for appropriate action.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating authorized under DC 6260. The appeal for a higher initial disability rating for tinnitus must be denied.,The Veteran contends that he has a left leg muscle disability related to his military service and/or secondary to his service-connected varicose veins. Further examination is needed to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by the service-connected varicose veins.,The Veteran claims entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dry eye syndrome. Additional VA treatment records are required to ascertain the current level of severity of his disability.,The Veteran contends that he has a hemorrhoids condition which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.,The Veteran contends that he has left and right leg varicose veins which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such conditions exist, their etiology, and whether they are caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran claims entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left wrist tendonitis. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.,The Veteran contends that he has right wrist tendonitis which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent (prior to December 23, 2017) and in excess of 20 percent (from December 23, 2017) for his degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar sprain with spondylosis. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new VA treatment records not previously considered. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied, and his increased ratings for right knee meniscal disability, arthritis, and lateral instability prior to November 14, 2018 were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic headaches, and a seizure disorder (epilepsy) have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.,Service connection cannot be granted as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a TDIU determination, finding that his hearing loss did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The inner ear condition issue is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred in active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but denied for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70 percent effective June 13, 2016.,Effective June 13, 2016, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities have been denied. The Board has not assigned a maximum disability rating, which remains before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for a new one with proper consideration of all evidence, including the Veteran's statements about in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for service-connected tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the appropriate effective date is May 30, 2013, when the increased rating claim was received.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and improper credibility determinations. The Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are being reviewed again with new examination opinions addressing a specific military medical examination from March 1969.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the evidence does not fully address his ability to perform the physical acts required for substantially gainful employment.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the discontinuance of VA compensation for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities during his period of active duty from February 20, 2015 to July 28, 2016 was proper.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service due to exposure to loud noise. The decision is based on continuous post-service symptoms of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to additional development being required.