Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and whether service-connected non-small cell lung cancer contributed to it.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in service. The decision also reopened a previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the disability rated at 100%.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is presumed to have noise exposure during service, but his claim for hearing loss remains pending as the VA examiner did not provide a nexus opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.,The Veteran has withdrawn all issues except for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, back disability, neck disability, sleep disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder with anxiety and depressed mood.,Tinnitus is remanded for a VA audiometric examination to determine its etiology.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for an updated VA examination and medical opinion considering the Veteran’s specific medical history.,Heart condition and high blood pressure are remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion addressing their relationship with service-connected conditions.,Adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood remains at issue, requiring an updated VA psychiatric examination.,Right knee instability and degenerative changes with internal derangement remain at issue, requiring an updated VA examination.,Left thigh scar and right hand scarring are remanded for increased ratings based on the Veteran's current medical records.,TDIU is remanded due to the Veteran’s service-connected conditions impacting his employment.,Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for any lung disorder remains at issue.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date, rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has not been established due to lack of audiometric testing meeting VA criteria for impaired hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus TDIU is granted. The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for PTSD prior to May 2, 2014, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition was denied, but his claim for migraine headaches (secondary to PTSD) and sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) were granted. The claim for tinnitus remains pending.,A remand is required to obtain medical opinions on the issues of service connection for hypertension (secondary to PTSD), migraine headaches (secondary to PTSD), and sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD).

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The rating for hypertension has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder is granted.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a vestibular disorder (claimed as dizziness) is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lower back disability, left and right ankle conditions, residuals of a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, and left ear hearing loss due to potential issues with the sufficiency or reliability of the VA examinations. The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be directly related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under VA regulations. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

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

The Veteran's claims for back, right and left knee disorders, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination as the current VA examiner's findings are insufficient.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including an earlier effective date for tinnitus and ischemic heart disease (congestive heart failure), as well as a disability rating for ischemic heart disease. The effective dates remain pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent, as the audiometric findings do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent. The Veteran has submitted new evidence suggesting his PTSD symptoms are more severe and warrant an increased rating to 70 percent.,Tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, as there is no higher schedular evaluation available for tinnitus under the Rating Schedule.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded.