Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during active service and is presumed to be related due to noise exposure, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance, as his non-service-connected conditions limit his ability to live independently.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus should be remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board denied attorney fees for past-due benefits from the July 2019 TDIU grant due to a lack of timely notice of disagreement (NOD) on the issue.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, but granted service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection was denied for tinnitus.

The Board has decided the service connection for left ear hearing loss in favor of the Veteran. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to loud noise in service is linked to his current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claim for tinnitus remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are presumed to have been incurred in service. Service connection for vertigo was denied as there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and tinnitus as there was a duty to assist error regarding obtaining VA examinations prior to the November 2019 rating decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's TDIU claim should be remanded for further development, including referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration. The issues include determining whether the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to July 29, 2016.

The Veteran was granted service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, herpes simplex, insomnia and nightmare disorder, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, etc., effective August 1, 2017.

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

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to service-connected sinusitis. The remaining issues of increased ratings for migraine headaches, hiatal hernia, lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, and right shoulder disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a scar residual of a left arm vaccination is granted. The right wrist disability and tinnitus cases are denied, with the right wrist case being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss remains pending as additional examination and medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was previously remanded, and the Board finds that he should be given one more opportunity to complete the required VA Form 21-8940. If still not meeting schedular requirements, his case will be submitted to the Director of Compensation for extra-schedular consideration.