Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar spine, right and left knee disabilities, and bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or prior to the appeal period.,Service connection has also been granted for tinnitus.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, low back disability, and hypertension are all remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder condition, lumbar spine condition, and dental disability due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective June 27, 2014. The case is remanded for further action regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations and service connection was partially granted, with some issues being remanded. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. However, the initial evaluations for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right thumb fracture remain unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted service connection for residuals of frostbite with bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's cold weather injury residuals based on a preponderance of evidence in favor of their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to service, but a new VA examination is needed to determine if there was noise exposure during service that caused these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted as his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 80 percent for bilateral hearing loss and his request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for hearing loss, as it was already rated at 80 percent. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined disability rating met the criteria but he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his age and service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD, tinnitus, and back disability have been granted service connection. A TDIU has also been awarded effective from August 20, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the adequacy of the April 2019 VA medical opinion and the need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's tinnitus is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD with anxiety due to military sexual trauma, depression, and insomnia) require additional development. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and there is no evidence of a permanent positive threshold shift during service. Service connection was granted for tinnitus as it began in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, tinnitus, hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and hypertension are denied. The claim for increased rating of headaches as a result of traumatic brain injury is granted to the extent that he is entitled to a 50% disability rating. The appeal regarding service connection for back condition is granted due to new and relevant evidence being submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is likely attributable to his active duty for training, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or within one year of active duty, or are otherwise related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's palmar keratoderma warrants a 10% evaluation, but no higher. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to new and material evidence having been received.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence in the record to determine if these conditions are related to service.