Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD, which has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 14, 2018.

The Veteran's meningioma is found to be related to in-service herbicide exposure, and the Board has remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's left eye vision loss is secondary to his meningioma. The issue of service connection for tinnitus is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection was denied as there is no indication of intent to file a claim prior to July 6, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for major depressive disorder is dismissed as the RO granted service connection for a persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and an insomnia disorder.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied. The evidence does not show limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or more, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted as the evidence supports that his tinnitus had its onset in service.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis (claimed as 'flat feet') is denied. The VA examiner found no clear and specific etiology of the condition, attributing it to a prolonged period without complaint after service.,The Veteran's claims for left shoulder condition, left knee condition, bilateral ankle condition, and left hip condition are all denied. No evidence supports their onset or relationship to service.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and right hip condition are all remanded.,The Veteran's claims for a hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are both remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service acoustic trauma. The mental condition claim was also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it either originated during active duty service or manifested within one year of discharge from active duty service. The decision is based on the Veteran's testimony and medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during active service or within one year of discharge and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show a chronic disease in service or continuous symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative meniscal pathology is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are denied as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military noise exposure and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and effective date were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and other conditions such as narcolepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic sinusitis, tension headaches, right shoulder strain with shoulder impingement syndrome, left shoulder strain with shoulder impingement syndrome, lower back strain, cervical neck strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, right 4th metacarpal fracture with scar, allergic rhinitis, shin splints of the left and right lower extremities, right eye strabismus, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the appeal period prior to August 13, 2019.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and back disability were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection claims for hypertension, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for psychiatric disability, right lower extremity reflex sympathetic dystrophy, gastrointestinal disability, and tinnitus due to new evidence. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and a higher rating for tinnitus have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during service, and the current sinusitis is not linked to service. For tinnitus, the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The AOJ will now consider these claims on their merits.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his in-service exposure to tactical herbicide agent(s). Service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development. Service connection for PTSD is granted.