Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a dental disability due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities or association with service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus, specifically a missing October 2011 audiogram.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and related symptoms, have resulted in a loss of use of one lower extremity (left) due to the need for regular and constant use of assistive devices such as a wheeled walker and electronic wheelchair/scooter. This has led to a permanent and total disability rating, qualifying him for specially adapted housing benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disability due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are no longer relevant due to the Veteran's death.

The appeal for service connection for a skin condition is dismissed. The appeal for tinnitus and the right foot disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records, complete the Veteran's VA Form 21-4192 for his previous employers, and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's tinnitus was shown in service and there have been subsequent manifestations of the same chronic disease during the appeal period, thus meeting the criteria for entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 60 percent since October 24, 2019. He was granted TDIU effective that date.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, painful scar, residual muscle injury from shell fragment wound, eczema, malaria, healed muscle damage, scar, and hearing loss. The housebound claim is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a nerve condition of the chest, arms, and back, chloracne, and epilepsy were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of these claims.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of audiometric findings meeting VA criteria for hearing loss. Service connection for tinnitus was denied based on a one-year presumption and continuity of symptomatology since service.,Service connection for a nerve condition of the chest, arms, and back and chloracne were denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions in service or related to service.,Service connection for epilepsy was denied due to lack of direct service connection based on in-service noise exposure, herbicide exposure, or continuity of symptomatology. Presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for neurogenic bladder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his symptoms and their impact on employment.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU from June 13, 2017 through September 30, 2019 remains granted. However, a final decision cannot be rendered at this time as it is inextricably intertwined with the issue of a higher disability rating for neurogenic bladder.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU from October 1, 2019 is being remanded due to the need for an extraschedular evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus), and tinnitus has been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss but is seeking further examination or opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus.

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

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the Veteran's previous denial of these conditions in 2014 and 2016. The new claim is considered a reopening of those prior determinations.

The Veteran's claims for reimbursement of parking fees and monthly subsistence allowance, as well as his request for VR&E services including independent living services, are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,The Veteran has been provided with a thorough vocational rehabilitation evaluation that includes assessments of his current limitations caused by service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to perform in both his current occupational field and desired career changes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, including obtaining a new VA examination and reviewing relevant medical records.