Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to PTSD. A rating of 70 percent for PTSD, but no higher, is granted effective from April 24, 2017. The earlier effective dates for tinnitus and hearing loss are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Dyslipidemia is considered a laboratory finding and not a chronic disability warranting VA compensation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to render him materially less capable of resisting his heart disease, which caused his death.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and was not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology. The Board concludes that the Veteran does not have a current disability of tinnitus related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are service-connected. However, the claims for insomnia remain pending as they are related to his mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened, and he is now entitled to a 70 percent rating for PTSD. He also received TDIU benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of secondary service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a cervical spine condition with osteophytes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor ankylosis of his knees or hips. Therefore, he does not qualify for eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a genitourinary condition (BPH) as the evidence did not support an etiological link to active service. The Veteran's claim of SMC based on need for aid & attendance or housebound status was also denied due to lack of any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied because there was no in-service auditory injury, which means he did not meet the second prong of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disability and several other conditions are denied service connection. The remaining claims for unspecified depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, GERD, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at the highest possible level (70%), reflecting severe impairment in work and social functioning. The other conditions remain at their current ratings.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of secondary service connection for sleep apnea due to PTSD with alcohol use disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, tinnitus, and cervical spine arthritis. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year post-service, and that any current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as service connection was not established due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards for a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied, with the Board finding that there is no nexus between in-service noise exposure and the current condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings for various disabilities due to incomplete records, including missing STRs and SPRs. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and attempt to verify the Veteran’s claimed stressors.,VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right and left foot calluses.

The Veteran's service-connected Ménière’s syndrome is rated at 60 percent prior to September 28, 2018. The Board granted a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hand disorder, and left ankle disorder have been granted. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered service-connected due to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since separation from service. The left hand disorder is also considered service-connected as it is a chronic disease that developed within one year of separation from service. However, the left ankle disorder does not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no in-service incurrence or development of a compensable disability within one year of separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.