Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a direct link to active duty service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a secondary service connection based on his service-connected PTSD with MDD.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of VA examination for service connection claims. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as there is no evidence of current disability, and his scar on top of head claim requires further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment, leading to a TDIU.

An earlier effective date of May 21, 2012 for the award of a 70% rating for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 60% rating for ischemic heart disease is also denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD and hearing loss, have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Meniere's disease, and a back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear mixed hearing loss, left ear sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest during or within one year after active service and were not related to his military service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with other psychiatric disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The effective date of this decision is not specified as it meets the schedular criteria.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board found that the Appellant's current tinnitus arose in service and has continued since separation from service.,Service connection for low back disorder is denied. The VA examiner opined that the condition did not arise during or as a result of service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for a higher level of care at the rate specified under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under any provisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea are not service-connected. The claims for these conditions have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus due to inconsistencies in a July 2014 medical opinion and failure to adequately explain its finding that the tinnitus began many years after service. The Veteran is requested to provide any relevant private treatment records, and an addendum VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, so his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and tinnitus, as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, hand cramps, diabetes mellitus, and loss of sexual desire due to the need for additional examination and review.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, migraines, and hypertension. The Veteran's left knee, left ankle, and left foot disabilities were remanded due to lack of evidence in the record. Service connection for tinnitus was also remanded as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it is related to service.,The Veteran's depression disorder claim had an effective date denied because he did not file a timely appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for various conditions as the appellant, through her authorized representative, withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (personality disorder) is denied.,Bilateral hearing loss is remanded to determine its etiology.