Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The reduction of the rating for service-connected residuals of a fractured left index finger from 10 percent to 0 percent was improper, and restoration of the 10 percent rating, effective December 1, 2014, is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including low back strain with degenerative joint disease. The TDIU will be granted but without an effective date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and multiple sclerosis due to conflicting diagnoses and lack of recent VA examinations.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder. The appeal as to the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD (to include as secondary to a heart disorder), and bronchitis is REMANDED.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 8, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but the remaining issues of sleep apnea, ulcer, and PTSD have been remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and bipolar disorder was granted. The claim for PTSD was denied as new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Board found that there is current diagnoses of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (bipolar disorder) and remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The claim for tinnitus is denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) prior to July 2, 2019, and a higher rating thereafter is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for tinnitus, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and scar status-post removal of sebaceous cyst as the Veteran withdrew these claims. The hearing loss disability was denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment since March 9, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence shows his PTSD symptoms have worsened over time, making it difficult for him to work in an environment with others.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of the Veteran's employment status and need for additional training. The Veteran is currently employed as a Peer Support Specialist, but his service-connected tinnitus does not impair his current employment.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disability are denied as there is no credible evidence of current disabilities. Erectile dysfunction is also granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, tinnitus, and TBI residuals have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD due to an in-service personal assault, his tinnitus is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and there is credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressor.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a fully informed decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial compensable disability rating for inguinal hernia, as well as his other disabilities. The Veteran will be provided with another VA examination and asked to submit any additional evidence he may have.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's tinnitus, finding that it is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of a 10% rating for right knee osteoarthritis. Other conditions and issues remained denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current ringing in his ears is due to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to a lack of an addendum opinion addressing the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine's most recent conclusions regarding hypertension and herbicides.,The Veteran is currently diagnosed with prostate hypertrophy, tinnitus, and hypertension. The issues at hand are all related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.