Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently assigned a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum rating authorized for tinnitus under Diagnostic Code 6260. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus remains on appeal. The matter of bilateral hearing loss prior to April 11, 2017 and since that date is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions in the June 2016 VA examinations. The case is returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether tinnitus developed during service or is related to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to provide this information.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for Prinzmetal's angina on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange, and has also granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as the evidence does not support a retroactive award of benefits.,The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding her current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss with tinnitus, finding that he does not have separate compensable ratings for dizziness and that his combined rating of 20 percent (10 percent for hearing loss and 10 percent for tinnitus) is appropriate.

The Veteran's PTSD was denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent from December 20, 2017. The Board also found that the criteria for a TDIU were not met prior to July 17, 2009.

The character of the Veteran’s discharge from service has been upgraded to 'under honorable conditions (general)' by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records, removing any prior bar to VA benefits. The issues regarding PTSD, right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disorder are referred to the AOJ for appropriate action.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating authorized under DC 6260. The appeal for a higher initial disability rating for tinnitus must be denied.,The Veteran contends that he has a left leg muscle disability related to his military service and/or secondary to his service-connected varicose veins. Further examination is needed to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by the service-connected varicose veins.,The Veteran claims entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dry eye syndrome. Additional VA treatment records are required to ascertain the current level of severity of his disability.,The Veteran contends that he has a hemorrhoids condition which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.,The Veteran contends that he has left and right leg varicose veins which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such conditions exist, their etiology, and whether they are caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran claims entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left wrist tendonitis. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.,The Veteran contends that he has right wrist tendonitis which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent (prior to December 23, 2017) and in excess of 20 percent (from December 23, 2017) for his degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar sprain with spondylosis. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new VA treatment records not previously considered. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied, and his increased ratings for right knee meniscal disability, arthritis, and lateral instability prior to November 14, 2018 were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic headaches, and a seizure disorder (epilepsy) have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.,Service connection cannot be granted as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a TDIU determination, finding that his hearing loss did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The inner ear condition issue is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred in active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but denied for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70 percent effective June 13, 2016.,Effective June 13, 2016, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.