Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's tinnitus and left knee disorder are granted service connection, while the claims for scar on left forearm and bilateral hearing loss are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is denied as there was no in-service respiratory injury or disease, and the current condition is not causally related to service.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus as it manifested during service and has been continuously present since then. The Board finds that the Veteran's lay account of chronic tinnitus symptoms during service and continuous post-service symptoms are credible.,The Veteran's claim for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is granted based on his reported in-service exposure to weapons fire, which he contends caused his current condition. Service connection is also granted for major depressive disorder as the evidence does not support a link between this condition and service.,Service connection for major depressive disorder is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is also remanded for hypertension, as the opinion provided does not adequately address whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 2, 2013, for tinnitus and a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology, specifically related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted readjudication for the claims related to residuals of pneumonia, scars on the legs, tinnitus, and anxiety and depression based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran. Service connection is now established for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, to include as secondary to PTSD, is denied.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and tinnitus are remanded due to inadequate examination in the August 2016 VA examination.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy is remanded due to inadequate examination in the July 2019 Board remand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's tinnitus and depression are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus and a skin condition (Actinic Keratosis).,Claims for service connection related to hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal conditions, and respiratory issues are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer residuals, bilateral hearing loss, and recurrent tinnitus due to incomplete service personnel records and additional development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service. The decision is based on credible evidence of in-service noise exposure and post-service symptoms.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a back disability, tinnitus, headaches, PTSD, and major depressive disorder as they have already been granted in prior rating decisions.,Major depressive disorder is now granted subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, lumbar spine condition, and skin condition due to potential missing service treatment records from his Reserve service period. The VA is instructed to obtain these records and schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine if there is a link between his conditions and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran regarding his income, expenses, and net worth. The Board requires additional forms from the Veteran to ensure proper evaluation of his eligibility.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran had continuous symptoms since service separation and meeting the requirements of presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied because his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for both conditions.

The Board has granted a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate since September 30, 2015 due to service-connected anxiety disorder with depressive symptoms. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for separate ratings.