Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, contact dermatitis, low back disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome was granted.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted on a presumptive basis as a chronic disease.

Service connection is granted for sinusitis, rhinitis, and tinnitus.,Presumptive service connection is granted for rhinitis due to exposure in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure. His back disability is linked to his active service, as evidenced by a history of injuries sustained during service.,The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities were aggravated by his service-connected right total knee replacement and/or back disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 4, 2019 due to his service-connected lumbar disability. He also receives special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate as he has other service-connected disabilities rated at least 60 percent combined with a single 100% disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete service medical records. The Veteran's active duty and Army Reserve service are acknowledged, but further efforts must be made to obtain his complete service medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for jaw pain, gout, headaches, GERD, and tinnitus due to lack of sufficient evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and military service. The Veteran is competent to report observable symptoms during service and post-service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claim for another examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and to secure opinions addressing the combined effects of all service-connected disabilities on his occupational functioning. The AOJ must also obtain private treatment records and secure TDIU-related opinions from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right shoulder disability are granted service connection. The Veteran's hemorrhoids and jaw disability claims are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, qualifying for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. However, he does not meet the criteria for housebound status due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus is denied as the earliest available effective date is April 10, 2023.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis under DSM-5 criteria.,The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are remanded as new evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The initial rating for other specified trauma and stress-related disorder remains at 30 percent, right ankle residuals remain noncompensable, and there is no evidence of a compensable rating for the remaining conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his hearing loss is related to military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service noise exposure.