Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for it. The cases of hearing loss, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for tinnitus and PTSD. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is considered a chronic disease due to in-service noise exposure, and the Board found reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. Service connection for his bilateral foot conditions, loss of sense of smell, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and knee conditions are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, left ankle tendonitis, and sleep apnea. Service connection for a left wrist disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disorder, sleep apnea, and tremors (to include Parkinson's disease) are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and medical opinion due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 2, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD claim has been reopened and granted.,Tinnitus was found to be related to service, with a current disability established within one year of separation from active duty.,Right hip strain and right knee degenerative joint disease were determined to be caused by pre-existing conditions (left knee chondromalacia patella and torn meniscus, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right ankle degenerative joint disease with tendonitis).,Hemorrhoids and jaw disorder claims are remanded for further evaluation.,Sinus disorder claim is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder was denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability. The claims for coronary artery disease and tinnitus are remanded as additional information is needed regarding the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria, including due to lack of permanent housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is a result of in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service due to noise exposure. The claims were reopened based on new evidence submitted since the previous final denial.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection.,Service connection for the right foot disability is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for the left knee condition is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for the right knee condition is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for the foot fungus/skin condition is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,Service connection for lung condition (to include pneumonia and/or bronchitis) is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right knee disability are granted as service connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or auditory damage sufficient to cause these disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted. An initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 4, 2019 and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss from November 4, 2019 are denied. A TDIU based on PTSD as well as a separate 60 percent rating for diabetic nephropathy is granted from May 24, 2018 to January 30, 2019. SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is granted from May 24, 2018 to January 30, 2019.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for PTSD is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder, is granted.