Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The cases of diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates due to a failure by the RO to issue an SOC addressing these issues. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated medical records and authorize VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected left inguinal hernia residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran’s hernia scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.,Service connection was denied for bilateral shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee disorders due to lack of evidence supporting their existence or causation by service.,Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disability meeting VA's definition of hearing loss.,Service connection was denied for tinnitus as the Veteran did not report having it during his STRs and medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to a factual inaccuracy in the VA audiological examination, and the need for a supplemental opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete STRs and personnel records, as well as inadequate VA examinations. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating for the periods specified.

The Veteran's appeals for left inguinal hernia, epididymo-orchitis with orchiditis and hydrocele, tinnitus, right eye condition, and left shoulder condition have been withdrawn. The appeal for anxiety and depression has resulted in a grant of service connection.,Tinnitus remains at 10%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to lack of new and material evidence for the hearing loss claim, insufficient evidence linking the disabilities to service, and no current disability found for the psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss disability, and dizziness. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities.,There is no evidence of a current disability related to tinnitus or hearing loss disability, and there was no indication of a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior Board remand orders, including the need for a new functional capacity evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's headaches are proximately due to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of a thoracic spine scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show three or four scars that were unstable or painful, and therefore, a higher rating could not be granted. For the TDIU claim prior to July 19, 2017, the Veteran's disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to May 27, 2011 and from October 1, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was not enough evidence to support a finding of disability or a link between his active duty service and his conditions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant service records have been added to the claims file, necessitating a reconsideration of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II; acquired psychiatric disorder; and tinnitus service connection claims. The claims are being remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's fatal esophageal cancer was related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and whether his heart disease contributed to his death. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.