Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, generalized anxiety disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of anxiety disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus for further development by the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral eye corneal scars to include right eye traumatic cataract. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have not been found to meet the criteria for service connection as defined by VA regulations.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, but only if it is determined that the condition began during active duty or is related to such service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensably disabling, and his tinnitus is currently assigned a 10 percent rating. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant higher ratings for either condition.,There are no additional audiological evaluations showing entitlement to an initial compensable rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the benefit of doubt given to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for cracked teeth from November 15, 2018 to February 27, 2019 was denied.,An effective date of November 15, 2018 for the grant of service connection for cracked teeth was granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, bilateral cataracts, refractive error with presbyopia and blepharitis (sty, inflammation, vision loss), hypoglycemia, hypertension, bilateral hip disability, radiation colitis status post colon cancer surgery, sternum disability, post chemotherapy cognitive impairment, bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, high cholesterol, bilateral plantar fasciitis, temporomandibular joint disorders, skin cancer, bilateral wrist disability, chloracne, liver disability, broken nasal bone, a disability manifested by loss of balance, dizziness, and frequent falls, chronic unexplained disability manifested by muscle weakness, fatigue, heat exhaustion, cramps, and malnutrition or lack of nutrients, genitourinary disability (kidney disability), residuals of chicken pox, and measles virus.,The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for radiation colitis status post colon cancer surgery, stomach problems, constipation, diarrhea, incontinence, gas, and cramped bowel; and for genitourinary disability (kidney disability).

The claims for service connection of hearing loss disability, tinnitus, left knee disability and right knee disability are granted. The claims for service connection of hearing loss disability, tinnitus, left knee disability and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have started in service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is denied as the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for GERD is denied as the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for right shoulder disability is denied as the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent tinnitus and has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his chronic pulmonary condition with obstructive sleep apnea and restrictive and obstructive lung disease, major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine arthritis with stenosis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate examinations and reliance on lack of medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements are credible and consistent with his military service. The Board resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.