Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also being remanded as additional information and evidence are required.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disability due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for additional examinations. The issues are related as they may be intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The initial evaluation for tinnitus remains denied as it is already at its maximum schedular rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss. The decision found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and a higher rating is denied.,Tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260, and no higher rating is granted.,Metatarsalgia, bilateral feet disability, remains at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5279, and a higher rating is denied.,Degenerative disc disease thoracolumbar spine with IVDS is rated as 20 percent disabling, but no higher rating is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased evaluation, earlier effective date, and service connection for tinnitus. The claims for left knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities were also dismissed. The appeal was remanded for examination on the issues of service connection for headaches and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been reopened, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support his claims. The Veteran's migraine headaches are not related to service, tinnitus has reached its maximum rating, and bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and tinnitus have been reopened, but the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) remain unresolved.,A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's right knee condition has worsened since his last evaluation.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a mid-thigh amputation of the right leg, depression, various scars, tendon injuries, and neurological conditions. The decision is effective as of the date of the rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied. The claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was also denied, as there is no evidence of a hearing impairment disability under VA criteria. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied due to the passage of over 30 years since discharge without any evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied. The claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was also denied, as there is no evidence of a hearing impairment disability under VA criteria. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied due to the passage of over 30 years since discharge without any evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is a symptom of his hearing loss and not related to military noise exposure. The decision affords the benefit of doubt to the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether service-connected disability substantially contributed to the Veteran's death from an automobile accident. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran served on an aircraft carrier where he was exposed to noise, but his service records are unavailable. Further examination is needed to determine if his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and TDIU have been remanded due to the addition of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added to the record and the Veteran's request for AOJ initial consideration.