Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that new evidence warrants readjudication of the claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for tinnitus is granted, but the claim for bilateral SNHL is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including his combat experience in Vietnam. As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the Veteran does not have current disabilities that meet VA criteria, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms since separation from active duty.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal because no rating decision has been issued regarding his reopened tinnitus claim, and thus lacks jurisdiction to review it.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and a heart disability due to procedural errors in notifying the Veteran of what constitutes new and relevant evidence. The claim for service connection is being remanded because it may be related to exposure to herbicide agents or diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip strain, but denied service connection for tinnitus, left knee PFPS, and left cheek scar. The decision is remanded for further action on the claim of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to their impact on his upper and lower extremities, as they do not result in loss of use of both upper or lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus of the right side as no new and relevant evidence was provided to support the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that December 13, 2018 is the earliest allowed date based on when the claims were received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for tinnitus and urethral stricture. The remaining issues are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The appeal of the rating for tinnitus is dismissed.,The claim for restoration of the 10 percent evaluation for left knee instability, effective June 24, 2015, is granted.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for right hand and wrist arthritis.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for insomnia and sleeplessness.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further development as the Veteran's current address could not be located, leading to a missed VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional information regarding his occupational history.

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 Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus claims are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board finds that these conditions are not related to service.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (claimed as sleep condition) and headaches have been granted as secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's testimony regarding in-service noise exposure and continuous ringing in his ears since service is considered, and it is at least in equipoise whether the tinnitus began during or is otherwise related to active service. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has remanded the service connection issues of hypertension, a back condition, a heart condition, neuropathy of the arms, hands, and legs, dementia, and tinnitus due to pending issues related to cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hip conditions, and bilateral knee disorders, render him unemployable. The Board granted a TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection, linked to noise exposure in service.,Service connection for the left knee disability and thoracolumbar spine arthritis are both granted. The TURP residuals are also granted.