Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status, as his service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of such benefits. The Board also noted that the Veteran has been awarded total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU), solely due to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including anxiety disorder, chronic vertigo with dizziness, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, require the aid and attendance of another person. The case is remanded for a medical opinion addendum to address this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete opinions from a VA examiner. The Veteran's hearing acuity was within normal limits during his military service, but he reported symptoms proximate in time to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a bilateral eye disorder, missing toes of the right foot, and a quarter of the left leg amputated. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 15, 2010.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective February 7, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in any form of substantially gainful employment that was consistent with his education and occupational experience from December 28, 2012 to October 9, 2014.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not rated higher than noncompensable, and the Board denied entitlement to a TDIU due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of intermittent tinnitus during his military service is sufficient to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6260. The benefit sought on appeal is therefore granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are rated at 50%, and his tinnitus is rated at 10%. Bilateral hearing loss remains unresolved. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for clarification of employment status.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of April 30, 2014 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, and psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease was granted at 60 percent, effective April 12, 2011. From March 30, 2016, the Veteran is also entitled to SMC due to having multiple service-connected disabilities rated at 60% or more.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of tinnitus. The Veteran's service connection for hearing loss already satisfies the in-service noise exposure requirement, and a new medical opinion is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's credible reports of ringing in his ears since service are sufficient to establish chronicity and connect it to service.