Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date earlier than September 24, 2009, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. The Board also remanded issues regarding a higher evaluation for his left knee and extension of a temporary total disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has precluded him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation since January 22, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU based on the PTSD disability. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his combined 100 percent schedular rating for service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for other conditions (right hip, sinus, allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, bilateral feet) are remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's claim for a bilateral foot disability has been dismissed as the issue is no longer in dispute due to an October 2015 rating decision granting service connection for tinea pedis of the bilateral feet (also claimed as jungle rot of the feet and legs).,The Veteran's claim for a bilateral knee disorder remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus and paresthesia of the feet and upper extremities are found to be related to service. However, his right and left bicep tendonitis have not been adequately evaluated due to a lack of recent VA examination or medical opinion.,The Veteran's right and left bicep tendonitis need further evaluation as there is no recent VA examination or medical opinion addressing the issue.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, but his cervical spine disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examination, lack of updated treatment records, and need for a new VA audiological examination.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, result in a loss of use of both lower extremities that precludes locomotion without the aid of an assistive device such as a walker, cane, or wheelchair. As a result, he is eligible for financial assistance for specially adapted housing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a diagnosis of tinnitus within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's denial of having tinnitus during VA examinations and his inconsistent reporting further supported this decision.

The Veteran's appeals for left foot and right foot disabilities have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a pulmonary disability has been denied.,The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.,The issue of service connection for a low back disability is also remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection claims are addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 31, 2017 have been denied as there is no evidence of an earlier claim. The Board also found that the lumbar spine DDD with IVDS disability did not warrant a higher rating prior to January 31, 2017 and remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, TBI, seizure disorder, a sleep condition, tinnitus, and headaches. The appeals were not successful as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no link between his in-service noise exposure and his current tinnitus. The evidence showed normal hearing at discharge and conflicting statements about when tinnitus started.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 27, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to potential herbicide exposure.