Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew his appeal and hearing request due to receiving a 100% permanent and total disability rating, which does not affect the tinnitus claim. The Board dismissed the case as it is no longer in its jurisdiction.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, attributing these conditions to in-service combat noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinea pedis, bilateral feet; incarcerated umbilical hernia, status post surgical correction (claimed as umbilical hernia/condition); bilateral hearing loss; and bilateral tinnitus due to internal inconsistencies in the August 2015 VA examinations and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied, but his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for service-connected psychiatric disability was granted, with an effective date of February 19, 2015.,Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), and sleep disorder have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's contentions that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 4, 2013. The evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's left elbow disorder and right elbow disorder are both granted as service connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ear hearing loss.,Service connection for eustachian tube dysfunction is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its relation to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and finds no causal relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is the highest available. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s migraines meet the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation due to their very frequent and prolonged attacks.,For cervical spine strain with mild spondylotic changes, the Veteran's condition is currently rated at 10 percent. The VA examination indicated that the Veteran does not have forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees or combined range of motion not greater than 170 degrees, which are required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis C and tinnitus as claimed by the Veteran, did not preclude employment prior to May 18, 2011. The Board found that the evidence does not demonstrate that it is more likely than not the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities alone prior to May 18, 2011.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of consideration of an IOM report on noise exposure in service, and for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus secondary to a service-connected right ear hearing loss disability, and left ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claims for asthma, bilateral hearing loss, chloracne, cysts on the head and back, and tinnitus remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current disabilities and his active duty service. The Board noted that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of evidence linking his current conditions to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus disability is related to service, as it began during his time in active duty and is due to noise exposure. The decision grants service connection for tinnitus.

The application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is denied. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral cataracts, prostate cancer, and tinnitus have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity.