Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

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

An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted from March 25, 2013, to October 6, 2014.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is granted from May 8, 2013.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the combined rating does not meet the schedular criteria, and a referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension for an extraschedular TDIU determination is required.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his functional limitations caused by his service-connected disabilities, and their impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is due to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing the disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service, with particular emphasis on the absence of documented complaints or diagnoses during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and tension headaches, claimed as migraines are being remanded due to the need for further development.,An initial compensable disability rating for tension headaches, claimed as migraines is denied.

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

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus), diabetes mellitus, a bilateral eye disorder, missing toes of the right foot, and a quarter of the left leg amputated. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and any private treatment records from Oklahoma City. Additional development may be necessary.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted effective May 20, 2015, which is the date of receipt of the claim. An earlier effective date is denied.,The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are found to have been incurred in service.,A back disability is not considered incurred in service due to lack of evidence showing continuity of symptoms since service.,Hypertension was not incurred in service, as there were no manifestations within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's headaches are found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and depressive disorder.,A left knee disability is not considered incurred in service.,A right knee disability is not considered incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's hearing loss, which pre-existed service, is granted as secondary to service exposure. The skin condition, tinnitus, and gastrointestinal disorders are denied. Service connection for a sleep disorder was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease (CAD), have rendered him unemployable for the period prior to November 16, 2018. The TDIU claim is granted for this period. For the periods from November 16, 2018 to February 3, 2019 and beginning on February 4, 2019, the Veteran has a combined 100 percent schedular rating due to CAD, which also qualifies him for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate. The TDIU claim is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing impairment and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the appeal period.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.