Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, tinnitus, and carpal tunnel syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 90% for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total right knee replacement, total left hip replacement, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, and therefore grants these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. Therefore, his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but remanded other claims for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and need for additional evidence. The issues include PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of determining a current psychiatric disability and its etiology due to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board found that new evidence received since the previous denial supports a finding of current disabilities, and that there is sufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to in-service noise exposure.

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

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, a heart condition, and hypertension. The reasons for remanding these cases include the need for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the disabilities in question, as well as the need to obtain medical opinions regarding whether the conditions are related to military service or secondary to other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from October 18, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, while the claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current tinnitus and his military service. The Board noted that the Veteran did not report symptoms of tinnitus during service or until six years after separation, and that medical records showed no chronicity of tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, fallopian tube adhesions with removal of the left ovary, and increased rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and degenerative arthritis status post arthroscopy have all been denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral arm condition has been withdrawn. The Board finds that remand is warranted for the issues of service connection for back disability, hypertension, thyroid disability, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and GERD.

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

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

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding these claims, thus granting reopening of the claim. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. However, the Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure.