Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a sleep disorder, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and an effective date earlier than September 18, 2017, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The Board found no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision on hearing loss is based on the lack of evidence showing a chronic disability during or within one year after service, and the VA examiner's opinion that the current hearing loss is not related to service. Tinnitus was present during service and currently, so it is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of renal insufficiency is denied. The claim for a higher initial rating prior to January 16, 2014 and entitlement to TDIU prior to that date are also denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest within one year of active service or were not caused by his military service.,The Board also found no evidence of continuity of symptoms post-service.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for a right ankle fracture.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, osteophytosis, and facet hypertrophy, is service-connected as it was caused by his duty specialty of Boatswain Mate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 90 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable, as he may be suitable for less communication-intensive employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frozen feet, residuals of frozen hands, a back disability (to include arthritis), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a mouth sore disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions were incurred in or due to his time in service.

The Veteran's application for Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) education benefits was denied because her initial application was received after the 15-year delimiting date, and she did not meet the eligibility criteria due to a combination of her own disabilities and family obligations.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The effective date for service connection for tinnitus is April 20, 2017, the earliest date of receipt of a claim.,For left knee disability (status post total left knee replacement), the effective date is June 24, 2015, based on the date of surgery. For left knee scar, the effective date is August 25, 2016, based on the date of receipt of a claim.,For right knee DJD with limitation of extension, the earliest effective date is October 21, 2015. The effective dates for other issues are April 20, 2017 and March 22, 2017 respectively.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that it is more likely than not related to noise exposure during active service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals to reopen claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in excess of 10 percent have been denied. The Veteran is already receiving the highest available schedular disability rating for both conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient medical nexus evidence to resolve the appeal. The case will be returned to VA for further evidentiary development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, which he experienced during service and continues to experience today, was incurred in service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and kidney cancer due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The claims will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and right leg circulation problems were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, high blood pressure/hypertension, and heart attack/CAD were not reopened as there was no new and material evidence received.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.