Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has persisted since.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, as his current condition is considered to have started during service and has continued since then.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to the lack of evidence showing a nexus between in-service noise exposure and the current diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for tinnitus due to inadequate examination and failure to consider relevant evidence, including a threshold shift in hearing acuity during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are linked to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, but it remains denied.

The Veteran's allergies are considered to be related to his service-connected alopecia areata.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in unemployability due to their combined rating of 60 percent, which does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The Board finds that the evidence does not show an inability to work due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The issues of tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and asbestosis are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not require aid and attendance or render him housebound, so his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his current combined evaluation of 100 percent and lack of qualifying conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his combined rating of 60 percent. The case is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but remanded the issue of hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or treatment for unspecified joint pain, irritable bowel syndrome, tinnitus, PTSD, neck disability, back disability, or hernia. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran’s dental condition to his period of active service.

The Veteran's representative raised the question of the collective effect of his service-connected disabilities in determining whether he is entitled to a TDIU. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for groin disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia), and hypertension are remanded due to a lack of VA examination records. The Veteran served in active duty from August 1979 to August 1983.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is due to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hearing loss did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury. However, the Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding credible the Veteran's testimony regarding its onset during service.