Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and tinnitus. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits due to his felony incarceration was proper, and thus denies the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for infertility, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a dental disability (tooth loss) have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and atopic dermatitis are granted service connection. The Board has found the hearing loss claim to be remanded for further examination.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and residuals of cervical spine disc herniations at C5-6 and C6-7 with narrowing of neural foramina, status post anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery.,Service connection is remanded for a lumbar spine condition and bilateral plantar fasciitis. Service connection is also remanded for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches but has remanded the cases of residuals of head injury and TDIU due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee disorders and tinnitus due to missing service treatment records and private medical records. The claims for bilateral knee disorders, tinnitus, and any associated musculoskeletal conditions are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, right knee disability, and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, other than bipolar disorder) has been granted. The petition to reopen the claim for headaches has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of tinnitus was denied as it was filed within one year of separation from active duty.,The Veteran's request for a higher initial rating for tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular evaluation (10%) is already assigned.,Service connection for arthritis, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss were all granted based on in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology.,An effective date prior to September 28, 2018, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was denied as the claim was filed within one year of separation from active duty.,The Veteran's hearing loss is considered a secondary condition due to his already service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his inguinal hernia and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lower back disability due to insufficient evidence or lack of adequate medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg disorder, bilateral flatfoot (pes planus), and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. However, further development is needed as the Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and persisted thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is denied, but his claim for tinnitus and PTSD are both granted. The case is remanded for further action on the hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain missing service treatment records and provide additional medical opinions regarding her back disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,The claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, right knee disability, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), and epididymitis are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and need further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches and status post cerebral concussion due to his failure to attend VA examinations. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded as the AOJ did not obtain a medical opinion as directed in the April 2023 remand. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were reopened based on a medical opinion linking the condition to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts was denied as it is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.