Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for Meniere’s disease and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for dependency benefits and SMC was denied. Dependency benefits were awarded to the Veteran's son (F.M.) on September 1, 2010, based on evidence of his enrollment in school within one year of that date. The Veteran is not entitled to SMC due to lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and attendance or is bedridden/housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's lower back, bilateral hip, and left knee disabilities are found to be related to his service-connected pes planus.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's bilateral eye disability as it is considered a residual of his TBI.

The Board has decided that a remand is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's tinnitus, which he claims is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's residuals of TBI are granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of claim. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus before the Board made a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral tinnitus and anemia due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since April 1, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions make it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, with two disabilities rated at least 40 percent. His service-connected disabilities prevent him from following or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced noise exposure during service, which is linked to his current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left Achilles tendinitis, and COPD.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disability and right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during active military service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are not currently in a position to be decided due to the Veteran's death.