Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with a higher rating of 30 percent.,The Veteran's left foot pes planus (flatfoot) is granted an increased rating to 30 percent.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted an increased rating to 30 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and there are no manifestations that would warrant a higher evaluation.,There is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes. The Veteran does not have a disability for which he can receive service connection.,Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disability (depression).

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis from May 19, 2012 onwards. The decision is denied for the period prior to May 19, 2012.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues on appeal due to incomplete service records.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment prior to June 18, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, migraine headaches, a deviated nasal septum, left knee tendonitis, right knee tendonitis, and shingles. These conditions are all found to be related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions originated during active service. The Veteran's competent testimony regarding his symptoms since service supports this determination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted on a direct basis. The remaining issues are remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for referral to VA's Director of Compensation for consideration of whether a TDIU on an extraschedular basis under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) is warranted prior to January 12, 2015.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has remanded the issue of his bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for Meniere's disease, sinusitis/rhinitis, tinnitus, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, his claims are denied as there is no persuasive medical evidence or credible lay evidence that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.,The Veteran's claim for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD has been remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to December 1, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities not preventing him from engaging in sedentary employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, and there is insufficient evidence to grant extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for VA purposes. The right and left ankle disabilities have been remanded due to inadequate examination.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with a finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The appeal was also remanded for further action on some issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS and right lower extremity radiculopathy were restored to 20% each, but the rating for the lumbar spine was reduced from 20% to 10%. The appeal for a higher rating for these conditions remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The cases of an acquired psychiatric disability, skin disability (dermatitis or eczema), gastrointestinal disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence.