Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to military hazardous noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to September 1, 2018 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his TBI residuals was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the case for further development regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations and development to address the issues of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral foot condition, headaches, dermatitis, and a claimed sinusitis. The Veteran will be provided with VA medical examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected right wrist disability, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative back disorder, major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and feet problems, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement for schedular TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and assistance, thus granting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for postherpetic neuralgia involving the right ear and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a new VA examination for his postherpetic neuralgia involving the right ear, and his claim for TDIU will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective November 21, 2014. His RLE radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent since that date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to May 16, 2018 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus are denied. Service connection is granted for hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus.

The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, schedule an examination for the acquired psychiatric disorder, and provide a medical opinion regarding any sleep disorder. The dependent benefits claim for FM, GM, and LMM will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a cardiac disorder due to scheduling issues with VA examinations. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to appear for these exams.

The appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for basal cell carcinoma is dismissed. The appeals for entitlement to service connection for headaches, essential tremor, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for right knee instability from September 24, 2015. A TDIU is granted effective July 24, 2016.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiac arrest, which the Board found to be at least as likely as not due to his service-connected ischemic heart disease. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed because the cause of death has been established.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to continuous symptoms since separation from service, based on in-service noise exposure and the Veteran's competent lay statements of constant tinnitus.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, and service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

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

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.