Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran was exposed to noise in service but his hearing loss did not manifest until many years after separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The claims for tinnitus, PTSD with major depression based on MST, and sleep apnea were granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for tinnitus was denied, as the maximum schedular rating available is 10 percent.,The effective date prior to June 9, 2014 for service connection of tinnitus and left ear hearing loss was denied. The RO reopened these claims on new evidence but did not assign a compensable disability evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection as they are related to his in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's deviated septum and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities were also granted service connection, with the latter being linked to his deviated septum.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the June 2009 rating decision that denied service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's statements about his tinnitus were not considered, leading to a denial despite evidence of current tinnitus and its onset during service.

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

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically unspecified depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective December 22, 2016. The rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetic retinopathy as the Veteran does not have this condition at any time during the period of his claim.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, loss of vision, and headaches due to outstanding service personnel records, incomplete service treatment records, and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran will be afforded a new VA examination in each case.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, but his left ear hearing loss is denied. His hypertension due to herbicide exposure is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 27, 2018 for Meniere’s syndrome is denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not include attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring from one to four times a month or more than once weekly.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not onset during or within one year after military service. The Board also found no evidence of noise exposure causing these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records from the Veteran's former employer. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records, provide an addendum opinion by a VA examiner if necessary, and then readjudicate the claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by service-connected conditions or due to his diabetes mellitus, type II. The VA will seek further information about the Veteran's exposure and review medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The claims for bladder disability, cardiac disability, and kidney disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral foot condition is granted, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for OSA on a secondary basis due to PTSD is granted.