Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the decision on hearing loss remains pending as it was not fully addressed in the original decision.

The Veteran's eczema was previously denied a compensable rating, and the maximum evaluation of 60 percent is now in effect since April 27, 2023.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred during or caused by his military service.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with TBI and headaches, tinnitus, and left submandibular horizontal scar is denied as new evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening the claim.,Tinnitus already has a maximum 10% rating. No higher rating can be granted.,Left inguinal hernia residual scar and status post operative left inguinal hernia repair, left knee disability, and limitation of flexion of the left knee do not meet criteria for increased ratings as they are already at their maximum schedular ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of tuberculous (TB) meningitis, as well as its secondary effects on a heart condition, balance condition, and tinnitus. The Veteran's work in an infectious hospital unit during active duty is considered relevant to his claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are remanded due to the need for a referral to the VA Director of Compensation and Pension for consideration.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II claim was also denied because the evidence did not show that it required regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities).

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected.,However, the claim for a neurocognitive disability, including TBI, is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it was incurred during active service. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability within one year of separation from service and noise exposure does not meet VA criteria for a hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a final rating decision in August 2013, finding that he did not serve in Vietnam and thus could not establish exposure to herbicides. The Veteran argued CUE based on his receipt of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), but the Board found no evidence supporting his claim as it was known at the time of the decision.

The Veteran's initial claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and left shoulder disability have been denied.,No compensable ratings were assigned for any of the conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and skin cancer due to Agent Orange exposure.,A VA medical opinion is required regarding the Veteran's skin cancer and a VA examination with an opinion is required for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, but his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and a heart disability to include congestive heart failure have been granted. The rating assigned is 10 percent for hypertension on and prior to June 7, 2023.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the vision disability issue. The claims of service connection for tinnitus, left knee disability, erectile dysfunction (secondary), obstructive sleep apnea (secondary), fatigue disorder (Gulf War service), nasal condition, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal condition (due to Gulf War service), and headaches are all remanded due to the need for additional examinations or opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 29, 2016, for service connection of generalized anxiety disorder, tinnitus, back condition, and tension/migraine headaches due to a lack of evidence showing VA received her claim before that date.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and acquired pes cavus were granted a 50 percent rating effective April 28, 2017. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, sleep disability, vision loss, and right shoulder disability are all remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 25, 2017.