Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for disability of the thoracolumbar spine and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, left shoulder arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since February 22, 2016. The Board finds that the combined effect of these disabilities has precluded his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability, headache disability, and tinnitus due to potential errors in adjudication. The claims are being returned for further development and consideration.

The claims for SMC, increased rating for idiopathic partial simple seizure disorder, and service connection for hypertension, low back disorder, and a bilateral eye disorder are dismissed.,A TDIU due to the service-connected seizure disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status and the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work. The AOJ is instructed to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations or telehealth interviews to obtain this information.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus. The mood disorder claim was previously denied and is no longer before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for right carpal tunnel syndrome, but the increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the right hand remains denied. The claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to PTSD, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Parkinson's Disease, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A), and TDIU due to issues with the August 1954 service treatment notation regarding a nose injury. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his Parkinson's Disease being related to this in-service injury and also secondary to other service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for mitochondrial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), arachnoiditis, enhanced brain meninges, and Horner's Syndrome, cognitive maladies, vertigo, chronic headache disability, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal (GI) problems, and tinnitus due to service connection issues. The remand requires additional medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease is related to his in-service fall.,The Veteran's neurogenic claudication of the right lower extremity is proximately due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's neurogenic claudication of the left lower extremity is proximately due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran has experienced ringing in the ears related to tinnitus since his separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service. However, service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to a lack of evidence linking the current condition to active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence, including terminal hospital records and private medical records. The Veteran's cause of death is currently under review.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a history of noise exposure in service and credible testimony indicating he experienced ringing in his ears since service, which the Board resolves in favor of the Veteran. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate audiometric testing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and has remanded his claim for service connection for loss of smell due to potential exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between the conditions and service.,For his degenerative joint disease, right ankle, the Veteran's current rating of 10 percent is maintained.