Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is denied as it is not shown to be related to service.,The Veteran's right hip condition is denied due to lack of evidence of any current diagnosis or in-service injury.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on continuity of symptoms from service to the present.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied as there is no indication of worsening beyond natural progression during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his other nonservice-connected disabilities and limitations. The Board finds that he is capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate for adjudicative purposes regarding the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disorder. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions clarifying the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities from December 21, 2010, to July 13, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

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

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied the remaining issues. The appellant's tinnitus is rated at its maximum schedular rating, and his hypertension is considered presumptively related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that there was no current skin disability, the bilateral hearing loss did not meet criteria for a higher rating, and tinnitus met the standard for a 10% rating. The right knee disability claim is remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of right shoulder disability, right shoulder muscle injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of prior claims within a year of discharge.,The Veteran's initial ratings for the right shoulder conditions (limitation of range of motion and muscle injury) were not increased.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete service records. The Veteran's periods of active duty with the Michigan Army National Guard need to be verified.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, right knee disorder, back disorder, left shoulder disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new and material evidence submitted since the final denial in February 2015.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for his service-connected migraine headaches from May 24, 2012, to June 25, 2013. From June 25, 2013, onward, he also received SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his service-connected social anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's left knee disability, tinnitus, and right foot disability are granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The low back and shoulder disabilities are remanded for further examination.