Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective September 20, 2018, based on his service-connected disabilities resulting in a combined rating of 90 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but due to an identified duty to assist error, his claim is remanded to obtain additional records that may impact the decision.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service noise exposure and subsequent development of symptoms.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,The Veteran's initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ needs to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s headaches and his service-connected disabilities, including chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, or pain from other service-connected orthopedic conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and for TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The case is being returned for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding of in-service onset and noise exposure, leading to service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since July 13, 2010. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury and no causal relationship between the current disability and his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The cases for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but granted service connection for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, as the VA examinations did not show impairment greater than level II in either ear.,The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration was warranted due to its impact on employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence in the VA examiner's opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a cold injury, left foot and right foot have been granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus has also been granted.