Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal due to the Veteran's death. The appellant does not have standing to continue the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to in-service noise exposure. The cases are being remanded because a new examination is needed for hearing loss and tinnitus, and a VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin condition (tinea cruris), and bilateral flat feet. The claim for right thumb disability is being remanded.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability or signs/symptoms associated with active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 18, 2019. The case was remanded for additional development regarding the period from April 18, 2019 to September 25, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and tinnitus due to lack of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been found to be so profound that they precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to April 29, 2013. The Board granted TDIU based on the findings of two vocational experts who considered his work history, education, and skills.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as due to herbicide agent exposure during active service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by competent medical evidence, and the weight of the evidence supports a finding that his symptoms began in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus was granted effective September 15, 2018. There is no evidence supporting an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus should be remanded due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran was not precluded from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to February 10, 2020.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service, and he has presented competent and credible evidence of its presence since service. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in not obtaining all relevant service treatment and personnel records. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for obesity as it is not considered a disease or injury for which direct or secondary service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and he has had at least one major seizure per month over the last year, warranting a 100% rating for tonic-clonic seizures or grand mal epilepsy since September 14, 2019.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, with the Board resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.,The Veteran's migraines and skin disorder are remanded for further development as a VA examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus with a rating of 10 percent effective November 9, 2016. The appellant is eligible to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the November 2020 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for discontinuance of SMC based on housebound status, finding that he did not meet the requirements under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his service-connected disabilities and TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent since the beginning of the appeal period. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher evaluation for this condition.,For diabetes mellitus type 2, the Veteran was previously assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation and is now receiving a 40 percent evaluation effective January 25, 2021. However, prior to that date, his condition warranted a lower rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and PTSD, and tinnitus due to new evidence showing an in-service injury. The claim is granted.