Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and the identification of outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and secondary to his service-connected panic disorder without agoraphobia.

The Veteran's appeals for lumbosacral/cervical strain, hemorrhoids, prostate disability, and hypertensive vascular disease have been dismissed.,The appeal of the claim of service connection for renal cancer has been granted. The appeal of the claim of service connection for lung cancer (to include as secondary to renal cancer) is pending and remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that his current condition is related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and malignant melanoma are remanded for further development and medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that both conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus, TDIU prior to October 30, 2018, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a medical opinion.

The Board has granted a TDIU, but the case is remanded for further action on the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic pain syndrome is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for bipolar disorder, hypertension, and tinnitus are remanded due to incomplete records. The Veteran’s OSA is also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship with his service-connected left knee disability and any non-service-connected psychiatric disability.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral wrist disabilities (left and right) is remanded as the VA examinations did not fully comply with the requirements of Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the absence of current disability evidence. Service connection for tinnitus and generalized anxiety disorder have been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis and DDD have been dismissed. The appeal for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied, while tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for Parkinson’s disease and right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are pending and need further evaluation.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating from September 30, 2008 to March 2, 2011. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of audiogram records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was granted, but his claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, IBS, and other conditions, are rated at a combined score of 90 percent. The VA has determined that these disabilities render the Veteran unable to maintain regular substantially gainful employment.

The claim for a higher evaluation than 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed.,The claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military service and the continuity of symptoms since separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thyroid disorder, cardiac disability, arrhythmia, basal cell carcinoma, and sleep apnea have all been granted. The lumbar spine disability claim has not been resolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals, fracture left tibia and fibula, midshaft was dismissed as the full benefit sought on appeal has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neck scars was dismissed as the full benefit sought on appeal has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, as the Board finds that they alone do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.