Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection of herpes genitalia and heart block, first degree is granted. The claims for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), tinnitus, syncope, an enlarged prostate, and kidney stones are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss was denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of cholecystectomy was denied due to lack of fault on the part of VA and unforeseeable events. The service connection claims for gastrointestinal disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied as there is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within presumptive periods.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient recent examination records and the need for updated assessments of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for a new opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete opinions from a VA audiologist regarding their etiology. The case must be returned for an addendum opinion by another ear disease specialist.

The Board dismissed the appeals for effective dates earlier than January 26, 2015 for PTSD, TMJ syndrome, and tinnitus. The Veteran's bilateral foot disability and bilateral knee disability were granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of cold injury to bilateral hands and feet, as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's sleep disorder, which the Board found not related to active duty service. The Board noted that post-service medical records did not show any diagnosis of sleep apnea.,The Board determined that the Veteran’s low back disability is not service connected, as there is no evidence linking his current condition to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the reopening of a low back disability claim and granting of service connection for a right testicular condition. Other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C service connection is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's headache disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as it began during service and is aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, and a heart condition due to herbicide exposure. Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart failure. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for low back pain condition, left ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeal as moot because the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was already granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and the cases are remanded for further evaluation of other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for major depression, panic disorder, and dysthymic disorder (claimed as an acquired psychiatric disorder) is granted. The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these claims. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his exposure to noise during service and continuity of symptoms since service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or the result of active duty service and has denied service connection for this condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to determine if the upper gastrointestinal disorder is related to service, requiring further examination and review.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a back disability was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted.