Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's abdominal scars are granted as they were incurred during active service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is granted for reopening of claims for service connection for tinnitus. The Board finds new and material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss, but remands it for further development. Service connection for PTSD and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for tinnitus was denied, and a rating of 10% is the maximum available. The effective date for the award of service connection for tinnitus is November 23, 2016.,An earlier effective date prior to November 23, 2016, for the 30% rating for diverticulitis is denied as it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred within one year of the claim. The Veteran's initial claim for bronchial asthma was granted with a noncompensable rating effective October 20, 1990.,An earlier effective date prior to November 23, 2016, for the 10% rating for bronchial asthma is denied as it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred within one year of the claim. The Veteran's initial claim for bronchial asthma was granted with a noncompensable rating effective October 20, 1990.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 14, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her right shoulder condition and cervical spine strain with radiculopathy, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 31, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate rationale in previous medical opinions. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) to obtain an addendum opinion that takes into account the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss disability, and right ear hearing loss disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all denied. The Board found that the current conditions do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and granted service connection for it. However, the hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during and have been continuous since her active duty service.

The Board has decided that the VA's decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was not thorough enough, requiring a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric and physical conditions, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the right hand condition (neuropathy) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss or tinnitus and military service, including exposure to noise. The Veteran's post-service occupational noise exposure was considered in determining that the disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Veteran's death by suicide was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 as he did not have a total disability rating due to service-connected conditions for at least ten years prior to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumbar strain/myositis, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a grant of TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss disability are dismissed as the appeal was not properly placed in the modernized review system.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy related to his back disability, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU rating.