Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear disability other than service-connected tinnitus and left hearing loss, finding that he does not have a current diagnosis of such.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability do not prevent him from securing or following all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, left knee degenerative joint disease (left knee disability), PTSD, migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, bilateral hearing loss, and TBI have been granted service connection.,An initial rating of 40 percent for traumatic brain injury (TBI) has also been granted.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of a nexus between his current conditions and in-service noise exposure or acoustic trauma.,No medical evidence supports the Veteran's contentions that his bilateral hearing loss is related to active service. The Board found no relationship between his bilateral hearing loss and any injury experienced during active service.

The Board found compelling circumstances warranted the Veteran's prolonged unauthorized absence, thus finding that his character of discharge from service for the period from October 1965 to March 1973 does not constitute a statutory or regulatory bar to VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his back disability and sleep apnea are denied. The bilateral hearing loss and hypertension claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to receive financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to readjudicate service connection for tinnitus and a low back condition. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for a low back condition is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the previous VA examination did not consider the collective impact of all his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to readjudicate service connection for tinnitus and a low back condition. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for a low back condition is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Board has ordered additional VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed cervical spine and seizure disabilities, as well as his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to potential issues with notice of previously scheduled examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted by his attorney. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather SMC based on aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, but has found insufficient evidence to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms started during his military service and are related to noise exposure.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all found to have onset during service. Service connection was granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the cause of death. The appellant must provide a medical opinion on whether any service-connected disability contributed to or caused the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection was also granted for residuals of a broken left foot, with the Board noting some pre-existing foot problems prior to service but concluding that the presumption of soundness does not apply.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for eustachian tube dysfunction was denied. A separate noncompensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Board has ordered remand for further investigation into the Veteran's reported symptoms of headaches and dizziness, which may be related to his eustachian tube dysfunction.