Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right knee disability (limitation of flexion), and bilateral foot disability have been granted. The appeals for the issues of service connection for eczema and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis status post anterior cruciate ligament repair are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, shortness of breath (undiagnosed illness), stomach condition (acid reflux/GERD), sleep apnea, varicose veins, and migraines/headaches are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus, major depressive disorder, diabetes, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The issue of service connection for tingling and stinging sensations in extremities has been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral Osgood-Schlatter disease. The issue of secondary service connection for a bilateral knee disability other than bilateral Osgood-Schlatter disease is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as of January 22, 2008. The effective date for the award of Total Disability Evaluation Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is set at January 22, 2008.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Veteran's current rating for hepatitis C and lumbar osteoarthritis with IVDS are both at their maximum allowed levels, effective November 15, 2001 and August 11, 2015 respectively. The Veteran’s PTSD remains rated at the highest level of disability.,The Veteran's left ankle and knee disabilities have not been service-connected.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back pain, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, tinnitus, left forearm disorder, prostate disorder, arthritis, impotence, left hand weakness, and left elbow pain. The Board finds a remand is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The case is remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's vertigo and Meniere's syndrome, including whether it is related to his in-service noise exposure or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted TDIU for the periods prior to February 1, 2016, and from December 1, 2016. However, the case is remanded for further consideration of TDIU for the period from February 1, 2016, to June 13, 2016.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so the cases are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, but did not make a final determination on the merits of these claims. The heart disability claim is also being remanded for clarification.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. However, his hypertension is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The issues regarding left hip disability and right hip disability (secondary) remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, lumbar spine disorder, asthma, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.,Effective dates prior to June 29, 2007, were denied for tinnitus, CAD, and headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of a VA examination, as well as the need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims, but the claims are still being remanded due to issues with herbicide exposure presumptions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.