Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, anger, frustration, fidgety, periods of silence, paranoid ways, and always on guard, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD linked to his service or any other diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence in the record to determine if these conditions are related to his military service. The VA will need to obtain updated treatment records, schedule an addendum VA examination, and provide a more definitive opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for tinnitus, migraine headaches, lumbar strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (both legs), right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and chronic left ankle pain. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) is also service connected.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection is denied for left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence regarding its aggravation during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service, and the claimant did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to noise exposure. The Board also found that the current hearing loss is less likely related to service.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was remanded as additional medical records are needed.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Tinnitus was not shown during service and the weight of evidence does not support its onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD and tinnitus is denied because the evidence shows he has engaged in substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of valid audiological testing results. The Veteran is encouraged to participate in an upcoming VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for DJD of the bilateral upper extremities, left knee disability, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The appeal for a sleep disorder is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for an examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so these cases are dismissed.

The Board found that the withholding of $810.00 for 17 training days in FY 2013 was proper and denied the Veteran's appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the appeal period prior to October 22, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as he was continually employed full-time, his earnings were above the poverty threshold, and he was not employed in a protected environment.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection has been granted for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral recurrent tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's reported difficulty with concentrating is contemplated by the schedular criteria.,Service connection for low back condition, left hip condition, and right hip condition were all denied as there is no persuasive weight of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical nexus opinions. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Service connection has been established for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on the Veteran's reported onset during active duty and his credible lay statements.