Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple disabilities were denied, and the effective dates assigned are not earlier than February 27, 2017.,VA did not grant an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate as the Veteran did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% prior to February 27, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting evidence regarding delayed onset.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, but these issues are remanded due to missing VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, Lyme disease, unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, closed head injury, and TBI are remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additionally, the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's claims for a right arm disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and right leg disorder are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The evidence supports a causal link between the Veteran's military service and his present disabilities.

The Veteran's SMC is granted for the period between January 6, 2017 and February 28, 2018 due to having a single service-connected disability rated at 100% with additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%. The Veteran had a 100% rating for left knee arthroplasty and other conditions like bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ring finger disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were noted in service and have continued since then. The decision is based on continuity of symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his VA Form 9 was untimely filed. The decision also noted that he did not timely appeal the denial of left knee disorder claim.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating, as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations. For TDIU, the Veteran did not qualify based on his combined service-connected disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer due to procedural issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his PTSD does not prevent him from performing the physical and mental acts required for employment.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence shows an in-service acoustic trauma and a significant positive shift in hearing acuity upon separation from active duty. The Veteran's statements under oath regarding his symptoms have been considered credible.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance of another person, granting his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for headaches and tinnitus are granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a rash on the hands, an upper back disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete information in his claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.