Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30%, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, but has remanded cases regarding his bilateral hearing loss and acute myeloid leukemia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 23, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error in the duty to assist, specifically regarding the need for regular aid and attendance. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are believed to require care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to February 15, 2017, and on a schedular basis since that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for dependency benefits based on his marriage to M.J.W. is denied because the evidence does not show a formal or informal claim was filed prior to October 29, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of tinnitus, specifically addressing the Veteran's testimony and previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the current 10 percent rating already reflects all associated symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is remanded due to a need for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his disability.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with myocardial infarction (claimed as ischemic heart disease), associated with herbicide exposure, is remanded due to a need for a new VA examination and review of the claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have persisted since then.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine including migraine variants with post-concussion headache was denied as the current 50 percent rating is the schedular maximum.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied as the current 10 percent rating is the schedular maximum.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims in May 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran's claims will be returned for further examination.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is remanded for additional development regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The VA needs to obtain additional treatment records, including from Alexandria VA Health Care System, and provide updated medical opinions that consider the Veteran's reported noise exposure in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was not shown to have current diagnoses of these conditions during or in proximity to the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis is remanded as no SOC has been issued addressing these issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left shoulder strain with partial labral tear are granted service connection as they were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.,Service connection for OSA is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset. Service connection for celiac disease and psoriasis is also remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals regarding various disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disorder, adrenal adenoma, hypertension, gout, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran contends that his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to military noise exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand several cases for further development, including obtaining medical records from Froedert Memorial Hospital and clarifying the Veteran's claims regarding sexual harassment allegations and PTSD. The effective dates of certain benefits are also being reconsidered.