Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, preclude him from securing or following a substantial gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were found to be related to in-service noise exposure.,A rating of 10 percent for pulmonary histoplasmosis was denied.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses, including his reported in-service noise exposure, are considered sufficient to establish service connection.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's low back residuals of soft tissue sarcoma are rated at 40 percent prior to December 10, 2015 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. Bilateral hearing loss and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity do not warrant a compensable initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are related to his service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of residuals of a traumatic brain injury, rhinitis, and fatigue and muscle pain have been dismissed.,An effective date earlier than January 23, 2008 for the grant of service connection for a cervical spine disability has been denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and type II diabetes mellitus have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or causation to service.,There is no medical evidence linking any of these conditions to service, including presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported history of ringing in his ears since military service is credible. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 31, 2015 are denied as there was no formal claim pending before this date. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's employment at a nuclear facility post-service may be relevant to his current claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus, which he claimed was caused by noise exposure during service, is at least in equipoise with the medical evidence and thus granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that the June 2013 rating decision was final due to lack of appeal within one year. The effective date remains January 7, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, sleep apnea, skin disorder (seborrheic dermatitis), and type II diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between the conditions and service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability for any of these conditions under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for neutropenia is being remanded as there may be a worsening of his condition since the last examination in July 2012.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a right hand scar is being remanded as there may be a worsening of his condition since the last examination in July 2012.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The claim for left knee condition (cervical strain) has been remanded due to incomplete medical records.,Service connection cannot be granted for the Veteran's neck disability because it was not shown during his active service, and there is insufficient evidence linking it to a currently diagnosed left knee condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development as a new VA medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's back condition, right ear hearing loss disability, and left ear hearing loss disability are all found to be related to his military service. However, the Veteran's bilateral calf muscle claudication is not considered service-connected.,The Veteran was exposed to herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam, which may have contributed to his sinusitis condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, right wrist disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's current tinnitus is found to be related to his military noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and active service.