Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision on hearing loss is based on the lack of evidence showing a relationship to in-service noise exposure, while the decision on tinnitus is based on credible testimony from the Veteran regarding his in-service noise exposure and subsequent onset of tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right upper extremity nerve, obstructive sleep apnea, and tinnitus disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded as there is conflicting evidence regarding whether it was incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been rated at the maximum possible level, with no further increase in rating being warranted.,The Veteran's epilepsy claim has been reopened due to new evidence submitted since his last denial. However, service connection for epilepsy remains denied as there is insufficient evidence linking current symptoms to service.,The Veteran's TBI and seizure disorder claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current disability of either condition. The Board also remanded the claim for service connection for tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination reports.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities were evaluated as 100% disabling prior to August 1, 2016. From August 1, 2016, the criteria for entitlement to a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to non-service-connected conditions such as obesity and amputation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further verification of his National Guard service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing medical records, verify his periods of active duty, and consider possible undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illness if confirmed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further consideration by the Director of Compensation Service due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from working.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a chronic respiratory disability (emphysema and recurrent bronchitis), and bilateral hearing loss have been granted.,Evidence showed the Veteran had continuous symptoms of these conditions since separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bruxism and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes, and concluded that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone were insufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, left and right knee disabilities, and PTSD. Additional development is required to obtain VA treatment records, disability retirement records from the Railroad Retirement Board, and in-service psychiatric treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The claim for tinnitus has been granted.,The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred during service or as a result of an in-service injury, disease, or event. Therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asbestosis, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, shoulder osteoarthritis, tinnitus, knee degenerative arthritis, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.

The appeal for the issues of service connection and increased evaluations is dismissed. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred or caused by service.