Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a chronic headache disorder for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for tinnitus and has determined that he is entitled to service connection for this condition. The decision finds that the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus was incurred in or aggravated by his military service, with particular emphasis on his exposure to noise during his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable prior to January 15, 2016. As of that date, his combined rating was at least 70 percent and he received a TDIU due to the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is denied due to lack of in-service noise exposure and the absence of continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as she does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for hepatitis disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's right forearm scar is granted a 10% disability rating effective December 4, 2017.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted. The service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as secondary to herbicide-agent exposure is also granted.,A compensable disability rating for the right forearm scar prior to December 4, 2017, is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension are not related to his active service. The claims for these conditions have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50 percent prior to December 6, 2018. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU for the period prior to November 13, 2013.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and right and left foot disorders, back disorder, heart disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish a current disability for VA purposes for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds the examination adequate as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from August 1, 2014 is granted. The Board also dismissed the issues of increased ratings for lumbar strain post-operative fusion and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including CAD and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The claim of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD, right hip degenerative changes, and right thigh muscle injury status-post shrapnel wound is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are rated at a 10% disability level, effective from the date of the November 2019 VA examination. Basic eligibility for non-service-connected pension benefits is granted due to over 90 days of active military service during the Vietnam Era.

The Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to service, and the claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or substantially confined to his home prior to October 31, 2017. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound criteria was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, neuropathy, and tinnitus have been dismissed.,The application to reopen the prior final disallowance of service connection for tinnitus has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives, specifically regarding the Veteran's periods of inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). A new opinion is needed from a VA examiner to address whether the tinnitus is related to active duty service and INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is granted as incurred during service.,Bilateral hearing loss is not granted, but the claim for tinnitus is granted due to in-service noise exposure.,A right knee disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied in a final December 2011 rating decision. The Veteran filed an intent to reopen his claim on June 27, 2014, which was granted with an effective date of that same day. As there was no communication received by VA prior to the June 27, 2014 intent to apply for service connection, the claims cannot be dated earlier than this.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether the veteran's hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to service. The decision on tinnitus remains denied.