Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has determined that the VA-contract hearing loss and tinnitus examinations are inadequate, and thus remands for further action. Specifically, an addendum opinion is needed to address whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing bilateral hearing loss and whether it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical strain, lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, and left knee disability. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are not eligible due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran did not have a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling at the time of his death, so he is not eligible for special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. However, the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss from September 28, 2010 to September 11, 2018 and higher than 70% thereafter is denied. The Board found the evidence does not support a higher evaluation under VA’s tables for rating hearing loss disabilities. His claim for TDIU is also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral eye disability due to disease or injury in service.,The evidence does not show a diagnosis of tinnitus during service or for many years thereafter, and is unrelated to active military service.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to March 1, 2013 for adding his spouse to his VA disability compensation benefits. The decision stated that the effective date was correct as it started on March 1, 2013, which is the first day of the month following the Veteran's initial contact with VA regarding his marital status.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during his military service, and the Board finds that it is related to this service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he has maintained stable work histories and does not have severe impairment from his conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including herpes, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ureterolithiasis, and penicillin, sulfa drug, iodine, and latex allergies. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The issues of initial rating greater than 30 percent for shortness of breath with pleural abcess prior to January 31, 2015 and initial rating greater than 30 percent for migraine type headaches prior to January 31, 2015 are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for TDIU due to heart disease and diabetes. Additional VA examinations are required.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied because the original intent to file a claim was not received until April 28, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's daughter, who was 23 years old at the time of her father's death, does not qualify as a qualifying 'child' for VA benefits due to age restrictions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to unclear medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues of service connection for PTSD and TDIU are also remanded.