Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that service connection for tinnitus is warranted. Service connection for a sinus disorder, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since November 1, 2010. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include hearing loss, tinnitus, shoulder disabilities, low back disorder, multiple joint pain, and eye disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral SNHL is denied as there was no evidence of hearing loss during service or within the presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment related to this condition.,Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, type II, a vision condition as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, and four types of peripheral neuropathy all secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.,For the remaining issues, the Board has remanded them due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus (secondary to hearing loss) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting information about when the Veteran first experienced tinnitus, and a new examination is needed to determine if it is related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic disability of the lumbar spine is denied as there is no evidence that his current condition began during or was caused by his military service.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the Board finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple myeloma was granted effective August 28, 2014. The effective date for PTSD was also granted on the same day.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, a back condition as secondary to PTSD, diabetes as secondary to PTSD, right upper and lower extremity neuropathy, headaches, and a sleep condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right foot fungal infection and left foot fungal infection are both granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a right ankle sprain, acne, and bilateral leg pain is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a VA examination to address service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and right hand arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service or exposure to noise therein.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not have tinnitus or right hand arthritis in service, nor could it be shown to be related to such. The Board also found that the arthritis was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected scar residuals of a gunshot wound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his noise exposure during active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and information are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including determining his periods of active duty and Reserve service. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, notably his bilateral knee disabilities, prevent him from substantially gainful employment that is consistent with his work experience as a laborer. The Board finds entitlement to TDIU granted.