Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's eye disorders, diagnosed as cataracts, dry eyes, pinguecula, and pterygium, are related to his active service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for TDIU as he has one service-connected disability rated at 60 percent or more and his combined service-connected disabilities are rated at 90 percent. The evidence demonstrates that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is established as service-connected due to exposure to acoustic trauma during service.,Right ear hearing loss is established as service-connected because it was aggravated by service from a pre-existing condition. The left ear hearing loss is also established as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, head injury residuals, type II diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions that would support presumptive service connection.

The Veteran failed to appear for necessary VA aid and attendance examinations, which prevented the determination of whether he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, an upper back disability, a lower back disability, and a bilateral knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran did not timely file a notice of disagreement with the December 2007 rating decision, and thus, his claims for PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as to effective dates prior to April 28, 2009 (for PTSD and tinnitus) and April 29, 2009 (for bilateral hearing loss).

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability, and thus denied both the cause of death claim and the DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during active service and the Board finds reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not considered to have caused or contributed substantially to his death due to cardiopulmonary arrest. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of clear and unmistakable error in prior decisions regarding his disability ratings, nor is there any basis for reopening claims based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the anatomical loss or use of both feet, one hand and one foot, blindness in both eyes, or render him permanently bedridden or helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. Therefore, his claim for SMC based on the need for the aid and attendance of another person is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during active service, specifically following an in-service explosion. The Board finds the Veteran's testimony regarding his ongoing symptoms since discharge from service to be more probative than the VA examination opinions, and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease (IHD), tinnitus, right leg neuropathy, left leg neuropathy, hemorrhoids, scleroderma, left eyebrow scar, and erectile dysfunction (ED) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's tinnitus to his military service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, but he is not eligible for a special home adaptation grant as his claim is moot.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for posttraumatic organic brain disease, traumatic brain injury with vertigo, migraine headaches associated with TBI with vertigo, and bilateral tinnitus associated with TBI with vertigo prior to October 23, 2008 are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, liver disorder, prostate disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was pending until the August 2010 rating decision, which granted it. The effective date is set at October 26, 1987, the day following separation from service.