Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 50 percent, and extraschedular consideration is not warranted.,The Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than the current 40 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the lower right extremity warrants a 20 percent rating, and his radiculopathy of the lower left extremity is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran’s residuals of a right foot fracture are rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent, and his residuals of a left foot fracture are also rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent.,All remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and higher ratings have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records related to his anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and finds it at least as likely as not that he developed this condition during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded three issues: tinnitus, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran will need to provide information about his treatment providers and any relevant records. He may also need a new VA examination for his right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as an addendum medical opinion regarding his tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right foot/toe disorder and a right shoulder disorder due to outstanding service treatment records.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for asthma is denied as there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to service.

The claim to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for a low back disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is considered a chronic disease under VA regulations and presumed to have been incurred in service due to continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for six conditions due to a lack of reasonable efforts in obtaining his Coast Guard Reserve records and an inadequate August 2014 skin disorder examination. The Veteran is entitled to additional evidence and argument, as well as VA examinations or medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 1, 2016. The Board denied entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for emphysema and sleep apnea, but denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The Veteran's emphysema is found to be related to his active service, while his sleep apnea is also linked to his PTSD. Tinnitus was not incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and forgetfulness due to insufficient evidence or lack of clear medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied. The appeal for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed as the issue has already been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's tension headaches are granted a rating of 50 percent, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 8100.,The Veteran's TBI is denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's arthritis of the left ankle is denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's arthritis of the spine remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and right ear disability other than tinnitus and hearing loss, finding no current disability due to in-service noise exposure or injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disability, and tinnitus. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to consider service department records that may indicate presumptive exposure to herbicides during service. The hypertension claim will be readjudicated based on whether the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam and if his disability is directly caused by such exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran's noise exposure is being investigated, and a new VA opinion will be obtained.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, but his left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a link between his in-service noise exposure and current symptoms. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent report of continuous symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was first noted during service and is considered a direct service connection case. The Board granted the claim based on continuity of symptomatology since service.