Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had current disabilities for VA purposes due to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no legal basis to award higher schedular disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as the Board finds that his assertions of in-service noise exposure are credible and consistent with the circumstances of his service, including combat. The private physician's opinion indicates a link between current tinnitus and military noise exposure.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 28, 2003 for the award of service connection for tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's original claim filed in May 2003 and his subsequent clarification of his disability as tinnitus within one year.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to perform activities such as golfing and water aerobics without symptoms.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions have not worsened during the appeal period and are currently rated at their maximum allowable levels.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, but denied his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain clarifying opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 2, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also considered the Veteran's TDIU claim, which was raised by a former employer statement. The Veteran is service connected for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, meeting the minimum schedular criteria for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, the Veteran has not been provided with proper duty-to-assist notice letter or development regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of recurrent tinnitus during active service and the current condition is not otherwise etiologically related to such service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for TBI with subjective speech impairment was denied as his residuals do not meet the criteria for a noncompensable rating under DC 8045.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he is granted SMC for aid and attendance from another person.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service, including noise exposure. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have started during or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for stress disorder was reopened and granted. Service connection for depressive disorder is also granted, with the disability considered secondary to his service-connected conditions. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both rated at their maximum allowable levels. His knee disabilities and other conditions remain under review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

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

The Veteran's right leg, right ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities are granted as service-connected.,His bilateral hearing loss is also granted as service-connected. Tinnitus secondary to his bilateral hearing loss is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus had its onset during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of neck injury, low back injury, and tinnitus due to new evidence received since final decisions.