Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim, including PTSD, is remanded as there are insufficient opinions regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted, effective from June 18, 2010, through June 13, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him bedridden, confined to his immediate premises, or unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. Therefore, he is not eligible for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's tinnitus developed in service and is granted service connection.,Service connection for non-malignant thyroid nodular disease is denied as the condition did not develop in service or is otherwise unrelated to service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim was previously denied, but he has pre-diabetes which does not meet current disability criteria.,The Veteran's onychomycosis/onychodystrophy affects less than five percent of total body area and no exposed areas, resulting in a non-compensable rating.,Service connection for glaucoma, fatty liver disease, asthma, bilateral plantar fasciitis, lipomas and scars status post excision of lipomas is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims of hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), and GERD.

The Veteran's tinnitus was first noted during service and has continued since then. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the tinnitus began during service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,PTSD service connection and increased rating were granted with an effective date of October 12, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination to determine if there is a medical nexus between in-service incidents and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his SSA income. The Board will verify the amount of his SSA benefits and request that he submit EVR and Medical Expense Reports for the specified period.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The Board has determined that the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are granted as due to herbicide exposure during service.,Tinnitus is also granted as due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability in either ear, and the VA examiner found no nexus between his current disabilities and active service.,Service connection for tinnitus has also been denied due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service. The Veteran's own inconsistent statements regarding when he first experienced tinnitus have not provided sufficient credibility for finding continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability due to a lack of VA examination records from the Veteran's second period of Reserve service. The AOJ must obtain these records, schedule the Veteran for an in-person examination, and provide opinions on whether it is at least as likely as not that the conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during active service or are causally related to his noise exposure during active service.

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 Board has found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of sleep apnea and tinnitus do not have a direct relationship to her military service or any other service-connected disability. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is denied, while the issue of service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his adjustment disorder with depression and various physical conditions, prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).