Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to a failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran must be given another opportunity to participate in these examinations.

The Veteran is granted effective dates of March 31, 2015 for a 70% schedular rating for PTSD, TDIU, and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). These awards are based on the Veteran meeting the criteria for these benefits as of that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and for effective dates earlier than May 26, 2016, for his right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for each of these conditions is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions based on noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for mixed anxiety and depressed mood, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disability, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been dismissed. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to outstanding treatment records, need for VA examinations, and inextricably intertwined TDIU claim.

The appellant withdrew their appeal regarding the service connection for atrial fibrillation, benign positional vertigo, tinnitus, allergies, and depression and anxiety. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's current disabilities were not noted upon entrance into service but developed during service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was granted. The rating for cluster headaches prior to February 17, 2017, is granted at a 30 percent disability rating. However, the rating for cluster headaches since February 17, 2017, remains at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to insufficient development. Further examination by an otolaryngologist is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed because he passed away, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and DEA eligibility was denied as the evidence did not establish that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to April 24, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to her military service and more likely onset due to subsequent noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development, including scheduling a VA audiologist to provide an opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and review due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's prostate cancer, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's initial claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied, with the effective dates set at October 17, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service, with continuity of symptoms also lacking. The Veteran's statements regarding onset were inconsistent.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further examination by an ENT to determine if they are related to service, specifically noise exposure during fueling jet engines.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The rating for metatarsalgia is denied.