Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred or caused by service. Service connection for hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as a chronic disease under presumptive criteria. The left ankle disability and Mondor's syndrome were denied due to lack of evidence showing continuity of symptomatology since discharge.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable schedular rating of 10 percent, and no higher. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee disorder, tinnitus, PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and hearing loss have been denied. The claim for a higher rating for tinnitus has also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. However, the claim for tinnitus was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 30, 2018 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for a low back disability is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for obstructive sleep apnea, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, psychiatric disabilities, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, nasal fracture residuals, left hand disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, headache, sinus disability, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction. The Board also remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for herpes simplex.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 14, 2015 for Reactive Airway Disease (RAD) is denied as there is no evidence of a claim or entitlement prior to that date.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied because the Veteran did not have tinnitus during service and it is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical and lumbar spine disorders, bilateral shoulder and hip disabilities, a left knee disability, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury residuals, and erectile dysfunction, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of 90%.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence showing good cause for rescheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied reopening of claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee condition, and back disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The right knee medial meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and for obtaining additional treatment records.

The Board has granted a TDIU from October 29, 2007 and remanded the SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for tinnitus has been remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his active service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his active service. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of hearing loss and tinnitus that had their onset during active service.,Service connection for COPD is remanded due to lack of verification of asbestos exposure, and a VA examination is necessary to determine if any currently diagnosed respiratory disability is related to service or asbestos exposure.,Service connection for a heart disability, to include coronary artery disease, is remanded. A VA examination is necessary to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, including whether it was caused by herbicide agent exposure during service.,The initial compensable disability rating for Dupuytren's contracture of the right little finger is remanded due to lack of verification of asbestos exposure, and a VA examination is necessary to determine if any currently diagnosed respiratory disability is related to service or asbestos exposure.,The initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for Dupuytren's contracture of the right index finger is remanded. A VA examination is necessary to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, including whether it was caused by herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently service-connected but the Board finds conflicting evidence and requires an updated VA medical opinion to determine if it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, CAD, or tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for lower back condition, tinnitus, bilateral hallux valgus, and bilateral hammertoes as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded for new examinations.