Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including malignant melanoma, lymphoma, tinnitus, obesity, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and sleep apnea have all been denied. The denial is based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any other relevant factor.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted due to continuous symptoms since service, meeting the requirements of presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increase in his PTSD rating is denied, and he is granted a TDIU effective March 14, 2017. His PTSD symptoms are currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's recurrent tinnitus began during service and continued since separation.

The Veteran's service connection for insomnia, as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, is granted. The issues of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and an initial compensable rating for hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as the VA opinion obtained prior to the July 2019 rating decision did not adequately address the Veteran's diagnoses of unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, which are related to his service in Korea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating for service-connected degenerative disc disease and spondylosis to 20 percent effective November 1, 2019 is improper. The Veteran's 40 percent rating is restored. Additionally, the Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for tinnitus, hip condition, and right ankle condition due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty in the effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his need for regular aid and attendance. A new medical opinion is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since his last denial in October 1984. The claim is reopened, but the merits of both issues are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran and grants his claim, as he has provided credible evidence to establish a nexus between his current tinnitus and his military service. His right knee disorder issue remains pending due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current disabilities are considered direct service connections based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran had acoustic trauma during service. Service connection was denied for right and left knee disorders, left ankle disorder, and stomach disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's recurrent tinnitus began during active service and resolving doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective December 11, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings prior to this date was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 16, 2018. Therefore, entitlement to TDIU was denied.