Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened. The right foot condition claims are remanded and the Board finds that there is no current evidence of a chronic foot condition related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during his military service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The Board finds the evidence to be in equipoise and grants service connection based on the Veteran’s reports of military stressors.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied. The appeals for initial compensable ratings for right shoulder strain, bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the great toenails, and residuals, right hand status post transverse fracture distal fifth metacarpal were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back condition and tinnitus are both granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for his migraines prior to April 5, 2019, or an evaluation in excess of 30 percent beginning April 5, 2019. For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to at least 40 percent disabling but did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported noise exposure in Vietnam is credible and consistent with his service record. The decision also resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD with PDD resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating from March 6, 2012 through June 11, 2019. The TDIU issue prior to June 12, 2019 was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and insomnia), GERD, tinnitus, bilateral shoulder pain, low back pain, left knee pain, a right knee disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder are all remanded.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back strain, bilateral knee injuries, and bilateral ankle injuries due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's stomach problems, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. Headaches and leg conditions remain pending as remanded issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, while the claim for a psychiatric disorder was denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is also pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of the claims as they are no longer in a valid state.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and tinnitus. The appeal for service connection of headaches is being remanded.,The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish service connection for his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board has ordered a remand to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service, including noise exposure from helicopters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and undiagnosed Gulf War illness. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) but not for hypertension, stroke residuals, OSA, or headaches.

The Board has not jurisdiction over the issue of an earlier effective date for PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD alone, combined with hearing loss and tinnitus, renders him unable to secure or follow gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right thumb disability, right thumb scarring, lumbar spine disability, upper respiratory disability (diminished lung capacity), sleep apnea disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The VA is directed to provide examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.