Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches has been withdrawn. The claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, sleep apnea, breast cancer residuals, cholecystectomy residuals, right knee disability, left knee disability, left foot injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), traumatic brain injury with residuals, memory loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and tinnitus have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, a left foot condition, a left ankle condition, and a psychiatric disorder due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a left foot injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support the contention that COPD was caused by exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are denied. The appeal is remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of current GERD, hypertension, and cataracts.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but finds that additional development is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus has been granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service exposure to loud noise is related to his current condition.

The Veteran's visual distortion disability and right ear hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or relationship to service. The nasal condition and hypertension issues are remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for tinnitus has already been granted, so the Veteran cannot be granted service connection for an eardrum disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a respiratory disorder has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hip disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, rhabdomyolysis, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his active service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied across multiple conditions, including left foot hallux valgus, metatarsalgia, pes planus, and plantar fasciitis; right shoulder and left foot scars; residuals of lung cancer (status post right upper lobectomy and tube thoracotomy with emphysema); and muscle tension dyspenia. The Veteran's tinnitus appeal was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on housebound status was denied because he did not meet the statutory requirements for payment of SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities and TDIU.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals regarding increased rating for Meniere's syndrome with tinnitus, service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, stroke residuals, and depression. The issues have been remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in previous decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, right ankle injury, hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any tinnitus present, including whether it is related to service or service-connected bilateral hearing loss.