Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's headaches are proximately due to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of a thoracic spine scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show three or four scars that were unstable or painful, and therefore, a higher rating could not be granted. For the TDIU claim prior to July 19, 2017, the Veteran's disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to May 27, 2011 and from October 1, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was not enough evidence to support a finding of disability or a link between his active duty service and his conditions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant service records have been added to the claims file, necessitating a reconsideration of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II; acquired psychiatric disorder; and tinnitus service connection claims. The claims are being remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's fatal esophageal cancer was related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and whether his heart disease contributed to his death. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board has found the Veteran's hypertension service connection claim granted. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for left elbow disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are remanded due to incomplete development.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected due to noise exposure during service.,Service connection for cerebral atrophy is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that it began in service or is related to an injury, disease, or event in service.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E services, including a doctoral degree in osteopathic medicine, is remanded due to the need for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation considering his current symptomatology and employment capabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and a TDIU is granted. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, and a higher rating for tinnitus.,No new evidence was presented to reopen any previously denied claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 19, 2010. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin condition due to insufficient VA opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records confirm in-service noise exposure and herbicide exposure, but the VA examiners did not adequately address these factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, type II diabetes, PTSD, tinnitus, and diabetic neuropathy, have caused his erectile dysfunction. As a result, both the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction and the SMC claim based on loss of use of a creative organ are granted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened due to new evidence. His claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, eye condition (including as due to Camp Lejeune exposure), and acquired psychiatric disorder have all been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected conditions on his cause of death, specifically his adjustment disorder with depressed mood and substance abuse.