Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions have not worsened during the appeal period and are currently rated at their maximum allowable levels.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, but denied his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain clarifying opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 2, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also considered the Veteran's TDIU claim, which was raised by a former employer statement. The Veteran is service connected for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, meeting the minimum schedular criteria for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, the Veteran has not been provided with proper duty-to-assist notice letter or development regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of recurrent tinnitus during active service and the current condition is not otherwise etiologically related to such service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for TBI with subjective speech impairment was denied as his residuals do not meet the criteria for a noncompensable rating under DC 8045.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he is granted SMC for aid and attendance from another person.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service, including noise exposure. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have started during or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for stress disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection for depressive disorder is also granted, with the disability considered secondary to his service-connected conditions. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both rated at their maximum allowable levels. His knee disabilities and other conditions remain under review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's right leg, right ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities are granted as service-connected.,His bilateral hearing loss is also granted as service-connected. Tinnitus secondary to his bilateral hearing loss is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus had its onset during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of neck injury, low back injury, and tinnitus due to new evidence received since final decisions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected, with the conditions beginning during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of separated broken ribs has been denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260, and a higher rating is not warranted.,Bilateral hearing loss was granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective March 4, 2014 (the date of the Veteran's TDIU claim).,Osteoarthritis/degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was also granted an increased rating to 40 percent effective March 4, 2014.,The Veteran's claims for Meniere's disease and vertigo/dizziness are remanded as further evaluation is needed.,The Veteran's claims for vertigo/dizziness and Meniere's disease are remanded as further evaluation is needed.

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

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left arm disability, right arm condition, bilateral hearing loss, chronic otitis media (claimed as ear condition), tinnitus, and COPD are all denied.,Service connection is not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine the appropriate rating for his service-connected Meniere’s syndrome, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. The current 30 percent rating will be reconsidered under the most beneficial diagnostic codes.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of upper respiratory infections was denied.,The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a heart disability was denied.