Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it is related to military noise exposure. The Veteran's assertions of ringing in his ears since service are considered credible and supportive of a nexus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from March 6, 2017 to April 3, 2017. The appeal for TDIU from April 3, 2017 is denied as moot by the 100% combined schedular disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied in a March 2010 rating decision. The claim for an acquired mental health disorder was reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The Board finds that a more thorough examination is required to determine if there is a link between current hearing loss or tinnitus and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 23, 2013 is denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities alone precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, MDD, PTSD, GERD, migraine headaches, sarcoidosis, and skin lesions/lesions on back are remanded.,An effective date prior to March 10, 2016 for the grants of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA treatment records from July 2019 to the present. The Veteran is free to file a separate claim for tinnitus if he wishes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The remaining issues of service connection for back, left shoulder, right ankle, and left foot/toe disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted as it is at least as likely as not related to service-connected depressive disorder.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of current disability, with no evidence showing a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year after discharge from service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher, from November 12, 2015.,Service connection for osteopenia is granted as it is proximately due to the service-connected removal of uterus and both ovaries.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,Service connection for insomnia is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus originated during active service due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and VA examinations. The issues include a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches, and TDIU from October 23, 2008, to June 2, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, a disability capable of lay observation and diagnosis, had its onset during active duty service and has been continuous since service separation. The decision grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not substantially comply with prior remand directives and requires addendum opinions regarding whether the Veteran's substance abuse disorder is at least as likely as not aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided that the claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches, secondary to service-connected disabilities, needs further development due to insufficient medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea were denied. The earlier effective date of July 30, 2007, for service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) was granted.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for porphyria cutanea tarda is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Bilateral pes planus was pre-existing and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating. Tinnitus and GERD remain at their current 10% ratings. The Veteran's right elbow and left elbow disabilities are denied higher ratings based on limitation of forearm flexion or pronation. The Veteran's shin splints and foot conditions do not warrant compensable ratings. Effective dates for service connection and increased ratings have been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical strain, residuals of a head injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to procedural deficiencies. The Veteran's tinnitus and degenerative joint disease of the knees have been granted service connection.