Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss) do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 2, 2011. The Board denied the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. Additional evidence will be requested, and a VA audiologist will provide an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his heart condition to his active duty service or any potential exposure to herbicides while stationed at Korat RTAFB.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure is conceded, and his current hearing loss disability meets the criteria for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence to warrant an increase in disability rating beyond the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to PTSD. A rating of 70 percent for PTSD, but no higher, is granted effective from April 24, 2017. The earlier effective dates for tinnitus and hearing loss are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Dyslipidemia is considered a laboratory finding and not a chronic disability warranting VA compensation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to render him materially less capable of resisting his heart disease, which caused his death.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and was not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology. The Board concludes that the Veteran does not have a current disability of tinnitus related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are service-connected. However, the claims for insomnia remain pending as they are related to his mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened, and he is now entitled to a 70 percent rating for PTSD. He also received TDIU benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of secondary service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a cervical spine condition with osteophytes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor ankylosis of his knees or hips. Therefore, he does not qualify for eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a genitourinary condition (BPH) as the evidence did not support an etiological link to active service. The Veteran's claim of SMC based on need for aid & attendance or housebound status was also denied due to lack of any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied because there was no in-service auditory injury, which means he did not meet the second prong of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disability and several other conditions are denied service connection. The remaining claims for unspecified depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, GERD, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at the highest possible level (70%), reflecting severe impairment in work and social functioning. The other conditions remain at their current ratings.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of secondary service connection for sleep apnea due to PTSD with alcohol use disorder.