Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's low back, neck, or knee conditions as they are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100% rating effective October 12, 2018.,An increased rating of 70% for right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is granted effective January 29, 2020.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, but his bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the left ear, tinnitus, and unspecified trauma- and stressor-related disorder are all granted as service-connected. The PTSD is not granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and radial sensory neuritis were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, varicose veins, and plantar fasciitis (claimed as bone spurs). Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,Bilateral hearing loss was established based on audiometric findings from a December 2012 VA examination. Tinnitus was diagnosed in the same examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for right-knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements and combat experience.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to in-service combat noise exposure. The case is being reviewed based on evidence of record at the time of the prior rating decision, with additional evidence not considered due to timing issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, headaches, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorder. Service connection is granted for tinnitus but other claims are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, bilateral knee disability, and left ankle disability. The initial ratings for these conditions are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and tinnitus, finding the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

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

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, effective September 11, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and cervical spine disorder, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or later that is related to military 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 claim for hypertension is remanded due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his acquired psychiatric disorder and lower back disability, render him unemployable. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s current bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma experienced during service.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU prior to September 12, 2018. The issue will be reviewed with consideration of all service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.