Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

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

The Veteran's prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are being remanded for further development due to duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reconsidered with consideration of the Veteran’s in-service exposure to herbicide agents and noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, renders him unemployable. The Board finds that his PTSD alone does not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and panic disorder, without agoraphobia and unspecified trauma and stress-related disorder (claimed as mental disorder) have been dismissed due to the Board having no jurisdiction to adjudicate these appeals under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Veteran's SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied as he does not require such assistance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied the remaining claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left leg shin splints, residuals of a low back injury, right leg shin splints, and residuals of a right leg injury. The decision is based on new evidence received after the July 2019 denial that supports the Veteran's claim of tinnitus being related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw all issues remaining on appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus disability, finding that these conditions are causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, which he reported began during service and has continued since then, is now granted as service connected.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to diabetes. Service connection was denied for Bell's palsy due to lack of evidence linking it to VA treatment.

The Veteran is granted a separate 20 percent schedular rating for his chronic left shoulder strain under DC 5202, but the Board finds that an extraschedular rating is not warranted.,The Board remanded the issue of entitlement to an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder strain and bilateral tinnitus. The Director denied these claims in August 2017.,The Veteran seeks an extraschedular rating for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus, but the Board finds that the schedular evaluation adequately contemplates his symptoms.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for hepatitis C service connection. Tinnitus service connection is granted, but the hearing loss claim remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal, respiratory, psychiatric, hearing loss and tinnitus, lumbar spine, shoulder, hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions.

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 issues of service connection for retinopathy, liver disorder, autoimmune disease, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, migraine headaches, tremors, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to the service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to both his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and his service-connected sleep apnea.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with a compensable degree of disability manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of a VA examination, as the Veteran canceled the fourth scheduled appointment. The decision is pending further review.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and tinnitus are granted service connection. The sinus disorder claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are denied. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his death.