Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board denied the claim of service connection for tinnitus for treatment purposes, finding that the evidence does not support a link between current tinnitus and military service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and throat cancer were pending at the time of his death. The appellant was not granted accrued benefits as she did not meet the statutory and regulatory requirements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, as well as to schedule VA examinations. The effective date of the award of service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting medical opinions and inconsistencies in audiometric testing.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Guillain Barre Syndrome, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and a throat disorder have been granted. The cases of obstructive sleep apnea and a throat disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened due to the introduction of new and material evidence. The Board has determined that there is at least an equipoise of evidence in favor of a link between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss have been granted. The issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss and rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty-to-assist error in not considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during service.

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

The Veteran is granted TDIU on a schedular basis from November 8, 2017. The Veteran's previously service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to May 22, 2019 was denied as he did not meet the legal criteria for payment of compensation under that criterion. The Board found no evidence showing the Veteran is permanently and substantially confined to his home due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so these cases are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for grand mal seizures, left knee disability, right knee disability, and tinnitus due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his military service history. The claims are not granted as there is no evidence that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential inadequacies in the medical opinions provided.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active military service and are due to noise exposure.

The Board dismissed all appeals as to compensable rating for shell fragment wound of Muscle Group XX, service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing, tinnitus, and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remands. The VA examiners did not address the Veteran's contentions regarding his exposure to a foghorn during service, leading to further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, but his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.