Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for contact dermatitis, tinnitus, patellofemoral syndrome (left knee), and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (low back disability) are partially granted. The claim for increased rating for contact dermatitis is denied. The claim for increased rating for tinnitus prior to August 6, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (low back disability) is dismissed. The claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome, left knee, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (low back disability) are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board denied an increased rating on a schedular basis and found that extraschedular consideration was not warranted.,The effective date for service connection of tinnitus has been set as April 6, 2015, based on the receipt of a formal claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is considered a direct result of his in-service noise exposure, and the Board found that there was continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the upper extremities, left knee disability, tinnitus, and a sleep disorder separate from any psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to verify his reported stressors related to PTSD.,Service connection is not granted for the claimed conditions as there is no current diagnosis or credible evidence linking them to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable due to their impact on his ability to work, as he can perform jobs with minimal physical responsibility and environments that are not noisy.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for reopening the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the evidence is not in favor of granting service connection for chronic sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a lumbar spine disability. The claims are therefore remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from September 27, 2017. The Board also remanded the case for consideration of extraschedular TDIU prior to that date.

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

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence, resulting in service connection being granted.,Service connection was also established for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus based on exposure during active military service.

The claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The issue of increased rating for gout, service connection for psychiatric disorder, and service connection for alcoholism are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disorder, left hand disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, sleep apnea, bradycardia, headaches, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD) have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of PTSD was withdrawn, and his claim for SMC-AA or at housebound rate was denied due to lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting evidence regarding whether he currently has a diagnosis of hearing loss, and because the VA examiner found it less likely than not that his tinnitus is related to military noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for various disabilities due to outstanding records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need to provide additional treatment records, including those from private providers. He will also be provided with new examinations related to his psychiatric disorder, hypertension, lung disability, left shoulder, back, knee, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder have been granted. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded. The TDIU issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions, particularly considering in-service noise exposure.