Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and granted a TDIU from August 9, 2010 to September 30, 2010. The appeal regarding the TDIU prior to August 9, 2010 is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 14, 2012.,An earlier effective date of July 14, 2012, is granted for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left elbow condition, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current tinnitus and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding the preponderance of evidence against a nexus to active duty service. The Board also denied service connection for cardiovascular disorder due to herbicide exposure, concluding that there was no credible medical opinion linking it to service.,Service connection for these conditions is not granted as the evidence does not establish a direct link between the disabilities and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.,The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened due to new and material evidence, but a higher rating is still denied.,An effective date earlier than July 8, 2014 for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied.,A TDIU is granted from June 3, 2019 onwards, but not prior to that date.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's claims for migraine disability, loss of two fingertips of the left hand, right ear tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss have all been denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.,There are no medical records showing any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions during or shortly after service.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of a link between the condition and in-service noise exposure. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus was dismissed because the VA Form 10182 did not express disagreement with any other issue or potential appellate issue, and there is no specific error of fact or law at issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss that meets the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as his tinnitus did not begin during active service and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for back conditions is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and PTSD with major depressive disorder as well as the TDIU claim due to potential errors in the decision-making process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, with the Board finding that his tinnitus began during active service and is related to military noise exposure.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye disability (including retina, scarring, atrophy, or irregularities of, eye disease, vision, and visual impairment) are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability is denied as there is no evidence suggesting the condition began in or is related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted, with the Board finding that it is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is a chronic, organic disease of the nervous system that manifested during service and has continued since service. The claim for service connection is granted on a presumptive basis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a psychiatric disability including anxiety disorder, depression, PTSD, and drug and alcohol abuse as secondary to a psychiatric disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The Board will seek an addendum opinion from the June 2018 VA examiner or another appropriate psychologist or psychiatrist.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has continuously had symptoms of tinnitus since service and resolves all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus is denied because it is less likely than not related to his in-service complaints, which did not include tinnitus.,The Veteran's claims for right shin splints and left shin splints are granted as they meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's claim for lumbar spine degenerative disease is denied as there is no nexus between the current disability and his in-service complaint of low back pain.