Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inability to verify the Appellant's claimed military service, specifically his Reserve service and active duty for training. The case will be returned to the RO for further development of these issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on hearing loss, tinnitus, and reopening the left knee claim before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's pes planus claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, cervical spine disability, left wrist sprain, left ankle disability, musculoskeletal strain (claimed as costochondritis Tietze's syndrome), otitis media, right ear, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to new evidence of ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating as it currently meets the criteria for a zero percent evaluation.,The Veteran's postoperative residuals of prostatectomy are rated at 20 percent due to urinary frequency issues. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his appeals regarding the service connection for various injuries and conditions. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further action consistent with the terms of a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded, as well as his TDIU prior to September 13, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia, including as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or secondary to tinnitus, is denied. The Board finds no credible evidence of the onset of insomnia during service and concludes that it is not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, including as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or secondary to tinnitus, is denied. The Board finds no credible evidence of the onset of headaches during service and concludes that they are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on a direct basis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the date of onset of tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity disabilities and several other conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. The Board has granted SMC benefits at the (r)(1) rate based on his need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. Additionally, the Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing as he meets the criteria for loss or use of both lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not causally related to his active duty service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment throughout the appeals period, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, but denied service connection for sinusitis and tinnitus. The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to have begun during active service and continue today. Service connection is not established for sinusitis or tinnitus as there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error. A new medical opinion is needed to address whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for resolved recurrent tonsillitis and tinnitus are both granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability of tinnitus related to his military service, but denied service connection for resolved recurrent tonsillitis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active duty service and a rating of 10 percent has been assigned.,Service connection for allergies, left knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease have been granted. Service connection for left hamstring condition was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease with coronary bypass graft, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar strain, mild muscle weakness in multiple extremities, and embolic stroke residual, were granted effective from March 31, 2016.