Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a skin condition has been reopened and granted. The Board dismissed the claims of TBI, sleep apnea, and PTSD. The remaining issues have been remanded.,PTSD rating remains pending due to need for a new VA examination.

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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations. The examiner is requested to consider noise exposure during service, including annual training periods with no hearing protection.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development to obtain an adequate etiological opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to noise exposure in service. The VA examiner found that it is less than 50% likely that the disabilities are caused by or a result of an event in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during service. The decision also notes that the Veteran's combat service and credible lay statements support his assertions of in-service onset.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of glaucoma, bilateral ankle disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, heart disability, hypertension, back disability, degenerative arthritis of the left hip, and peripheral neuropathy are all pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inconsistencies in medical records and the Veteran's assertions regarding his January 2020 knee examinations. The cases are also remanded for a determination on SMC based on TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and is granted as service connection.,There is no current diagnosis of hypertension, thus denial of service connection for hypertension.,The Veteran has a qualifying chronic gastrointestinal disability manifested by constipation that began during service and is granted as service connection.,Service connection is denied for right rear leg condition, left rear leg condition, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition due to lack of evidence supporting the onset or relationship to service.,PFB is granted as service connection based on credible lay statements and medical history.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during and since service. However, it denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.,Service connection has also been denied for right ankle and left ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to unclear reasoning in a 2016 VA opinion. An addendum opinion is needed from an appropriate medical professional.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied, and the effective dates for service connection were denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiologic examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was also denied, with an effective date earlier than July 30, 2014 not being granted due to lack of legal or factual basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete development and inadequate examination reports.