Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance or permanently and substantially confined to his immediate premises, thus SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to tinnitus, is granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service noise exposure. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. However, an initial compensable rating for bilateral (formerly right ear) hearing loss has not been met.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses received from Randolph County Emergency Squad was denied because the claim was not submitted within the required 90-day period after the emergency treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but remanded the tinnitus claim due to incomplete adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and has existed since then, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic ear infections due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service. Service connection was denied for his right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service or a direct relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's attempts to re-enlist in the Marine Corps or Navy Reserves. The Veteran is requested to provide more specific information about his attempts to enlist, including when and where he attempted to do so.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The initial evaluation for PTSD is increased to 70 percent, effective February 21, 2012. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for left hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus based on evidence showing these conditions were first manifested prior to the date of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied due to failure to attend a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating exceeding 60 percent for prostate cancer and residuals thereof is denied as the predominant residuals do not meet the criteria for such a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction is denied as he does not suffer from a penile deformity.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating exceeding 30 percent for disfigurement of the left side of his nose is remanded due to insufficient evidence showing two or more characteristics of disfigurement.

The Veteran's onychomycosis, claimed as a fungus condition of the bilateral feet, is granted. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and panic disorder, along with other disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 11, 2013. Effective May 22, 2012, the combined disability rating was sufficient for a TDIU. Effective August 23, 2018, his other service-connected disabilities are also rated at 60 percent or more.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is at least as much evidence to support these conditions being related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA Form 21-8940 and a VA examination to assess his functional impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, tinnitus, COPD, and hypertension. Service connection was denied for atrial fibrillation.