Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear and/or headache condition, as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus has been remanded.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus disability, finding that the evidence is at least in balance and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The hearing loss case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral ear infections were denied. The Veteran's right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel disabilities are each granted a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error. The VA examiner's opinions are insufficient as they did not consider the Veteran's continuity of symptoms post-military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 40 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2019. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for this condition.,Tinnitus was rated at 10 percent since February 14, 2019 to October 23, 2020. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding his bilateral ear conditions, including tinnitus. The issue of entitlement to service connection for these conditions, as well as an increased rating for tinnitus, remains pending.

The Veteran's claims seeking earlier effective dates for tinnitus and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent were withdrawn. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition is etiologically related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's right little finger strain is granted a noncompensable disability rating.,Service connection for the back disability is granted, with no specific assigned disability rating or effective date provided.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea, as well as whether his service-connected asthma or deviated nasal septum may have contributed to his sleep apnea. The examination should address these theories of entitlement.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, stating that the Veteran's low back disorder was less likely related to his in-service back treatment. The claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss is reopened due to new and material evidence.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus and the evidence does not indicate a causal relationship between active duty service and the Veteran's current condition.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have current tinnitus, and thus denied service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran also sought service connection for right eye corneal abrasion but was unable to establish a nexus with his military service due to inconsistencies in his statements and clinical evidence.,Service connection for right eye corneal abrasion is denied as there is no indication of a current disability related to the alleged injury during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for patellar tenonitis, right knee; left ankle sprain; and gastrointestinal disorder (GERD).,The Veteran's hearing loss claim is remanded due to lack of current bilateral hearing loss disability.,VA treatment records from Dallas VA Medical Center are needed for patellar tenonitis, right knee.,VA examination is required for left ankle sprain.,A medical opinion is needed regarding the pre-existence and aggravation of gastrointestinal disorder (GERD).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left elbow lateral epicondylitis was reopened, and the Board granted this claim. Service connection was also granted for tinnitus. The right knee disability secondary to a left knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for increased rating for panic disorder and TDIU have been remanded.

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

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus because it was not properly appealed and a new appeal could not be created.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a skin disability is remanded.