Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spinal stenosis, COPD, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence added to the record.

The Veteran's claim for a left knee condition has been remanded. Service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis is granted based on presumptive exposure under the PACT Act. The Veteran's claim for rhinitis was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition. Service connection for OSA, secondary to PTSD, and bilateral plantar fasciitis, secondary to service-connected PTSD, are granted.,The Veteran's left knee condition is pending and will be remanded. The Veteran has established service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis based on presumptive exposure under the PACT Act. Service connection for rhinitis was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition. Service connection for OSA, secondary to PTSD, and bilateral plantar fasciitis, secondary to service-connected PTSD, are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not caused by or related to his service-connected PTSD. The decision also grants service connection for tinnitus based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and migraines have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, nor could it be presumed due to exposure to noise during service.,For the bilateral pes planus claim, additional development is required as there are conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by basic training. The Board also noted that the bilateral knee and right ankle disorders may be related to the pes planus.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection and rating for various disabilities, as well as the need for additional medical examinations.

The application to reopen the claim of service connection for sleep disability is granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for anosmia and ageusia are dismissed, and his claim for service connection for headache disability is referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective date for tinnitus is dismissed. The claim to reopen his pneumonia service connection is granted, but the case is remanded for further development on all issues.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The case of bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is remanded for further development.

Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for lumbosacral strain (low back pain).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation prior to June 1, 2020.

The Board has determined that the reduction in VA disability compensation benefits during a period of incarceration from August [REDACTED], 2018, through November [REDACTED], 2018, was improper and has granted restoration of full VA disability compensation benefits for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and COPD, with the latter being granted based on the PACT Act presumption of exposure to burn pits during service. The decision is effective from the date of enactment of the PACT Act.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and tinnitus are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.,OSA is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to the Veteran's service-connected disability, including potential TERA exposure.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus should be remanded due to a lack of VA examination or opinion regarding their etiology.

The claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, left and right hand disabilities, neck disability, right ring finger disability, and throat disability have been dismissed.,New evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for low back disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, erectile dysfunction, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

Service connection is granted for sinusitis, migraines, cervical strain, and tinnitus based on direct service connection.

The Board has determined that there are insufficient records to make a determination on the service connection claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's exposure history and prior service need further clarification, as well as additional medical opinions regarding peripheral artery disease and neuropathy.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and disability ratings related to tinnitus, cluster headaches, GERD, and a fracture with joint pain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he satisfies both economic and non-economic components of a TDIU from November 9, 2017. However, the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to November 9, 2017 is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) and higher rate of SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) is denied due to lack of eligibility for compensation at the maximum rate or intermediate rate authorized.