Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus was not found to have begun in service or manifest to a compensable degree within the prescribed period after separation. It also cannot be shown that it is the result of in-service noise exposure or otherwise related to service, leading to denial of service connection.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and his tinnitus is a result of his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The Veteran also does not meet the criteria for TDIU as he has one disability rated at least 40% and his combined evaluation is less than 70%. His other disabilities are not sufficient to bring his combined evaluation to 70%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, arthritis of the right knee, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, back condition, and peripheral neuropathy, have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted due to continuous post-service symptoms of these conditions, which are considered presumptive under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 12, 2012 is being remanded as the evidence shows he has been unable to work due to service-connected disabilities since at least December 2010.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, right shoulder disability, and lower back disability are remanded.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability that began during or was aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an extraschedular rating for bilateral tinnitus. The case is being remanded to address claims of service connection for hypertension, a right thigh and hip disability, and erectile dysfunction (ED). Additionally, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound prior to August 21, 2017, and from October 1, 2018, is also remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. Service connection is also granted for back, right ankle, eye, sinus, and COPD disabilities. However, rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of colon cancer remains remanded.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria.,The appellant's claim for specially adapted housing, which is a one-time benefit, was also denied because the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) are inextricably intertwined due to their interrelated nature. The Veteran's service connection claims have been remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus, which he claims is related to his active duty military service. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran was granted service connection for sleep apnea, but denied service connection for tinnitus. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether sleep apnea was incurred in service and therefore granted it. For tinnitus, the Board found no current disability.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a perforated right eardrum as there is no current evidence of such condition and the Veteran's belief in having such a condition was not supported by medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records do not provide sufficient audiometric data for a determination, but his history of noise exposure is conceded.