Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right eye condition resulting from a retinal detachment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied in previous decisions. New evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for tinnitus, which is now granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service or his tinnitus, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance prior to April 24, 2018 was denied as he did not meet the legal criteria for a full step increase under subsection (p) due to lack of additional single permanent disability independently ratable at 100 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, high blood pressure, and eczema.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective October 31, 2008. The Veteran now meets the schedular requirements for SMC at the housebound rate as of March 28, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations. The Board also found no evidence of continuous symptoms since service separation or chronicity of disease from service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that his current condition is related to in-service noise exposure.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. The Veteran's right ankle disorder, residuals of left oophorectomy, and gynecological disorders are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all issues on appeal by the accredited representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's representative withdrew his appeals regarding a higher disability rating for tinnitus and the effective date of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or related to service. The hearing loss claim is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion regarding normal hearing at separation may be based on a non-valid test.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence, including verification of all periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment from April 23, 2007 to June 3, 2013.

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to service connection as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any tinnitus and psychiatric disorders.