Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disability are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities, and right leg varicose veins have been denied.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are currently rated as follows: 10 percent for tinnitus; 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability; 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity prior to November 27, 2013 and from November 1, 2015; 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity prior to November 27, 2013 and from November 1, 2015; and 10 percent for right leg varicose veins.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and maintain gainful employment, so a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, migraine headaches, and Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome due to new evidence. The remaining issues are remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during service and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to noise exposure during service. The Veteran’s claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected generalized arthralgias is also denied.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during service and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition, as it is considered secondary to his service-connected generalized arthralgias. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected esophagitis with hiatal hernia is also denied.,The Veteran's neck disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias are also denied.,The Veteran's neck scar is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias are also denied.,The Veteran's right arm disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected neck disorder is also denied.,The Veteran's left arm disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected neck disorder is also denied.,The Veteran's low back scar is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias are also denied.,The Veteran's right leg disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias is also denied.,The Veteran's left shoulder disorder separate and distinct from service-connected generalized arthralgia is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for hearing loss was reopened and remanded. The claim for tinnitus remains denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to evaluate the Veteran's current employment handicap and whether self-employment is the only feasible option for him given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service and was not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and benefits under Section 1151 due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding his hearing loss and lung condition.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for clarification of a private medical provider's qualifications and opinions. The Veteran was denied effective dates prior to April 7, 2016, for right knee strain and tinnitus. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also denied. A rating higher than 10 percent for right knee strain is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began in service and has continued since.,Service connection for the low back disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The appeal for service connection for headaches has been dismissed.,The appeals seeking earlier effective dates for tinnitus and a 70% rating for bipolar I disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder have also been dismissed.,An initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus, as well as ratings greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, and greater than 60 percent for CAD, have all been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service, and her bipolar disorder is rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.,Her migraine headaches are remanded for a new rating determination. The dry eye syndrome and back disability are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with effective dates set at April 13, 2016. The Veteran is still denied a higher rating for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and the retrieval of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is remanded for further review.