Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a back disability due to the full benefit sought being granted in a previous rating decision. The TDIU claim was granted as the Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 70% and he is unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities render him bedridden or helpless as needed for regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and disabilities have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, are found to be of such severity that they preclude his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment. The TDIU rating is granted. However, the issue of a higher rating for the back disability remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus for further evaluation due to assertions of worsening conditions and insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is requested to provide additional evidence, such as medical records or lay statements.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient reasons provided in the previous decision. The Veteran's claims are now reviewed again with a focus on obtaining an opinion regarding the onset and etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the cases of tinnitus, bilateral tinea pedis, right foot surgery residuals (secondary to tinea pedis), and bilateral hearing loss for further development.

The Veteran's heart condition, diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, kidney condition (secondary to diabetes), right upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus have all been granted service connection based on evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and skin condition are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service. The claims were previously denied due to lack of new and material evidence, but with the addition of relevant service records, they have been reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension due to issues with obtaining an adequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for tinnitus is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss claim.

The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a back disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for cirrhosis of the liver is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a heart disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for high blood pressure is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for syphilis, arthritis, bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's claimed syphilis. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence does not show a relationship to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of his pending VA claims, including service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

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

The Veteran's appeal regarding tinnitus and sleep apnea has been dismissed as the Veteran requested a withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's left thumb disability is currently rated as noncompensable due to a gap of less than one inch between the thumb pad and fingers. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending.,More development is needed regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, including whether they are related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was vacated by the Court, necessitating a new examination. The appeal for service connection for PTSD remains pending.,A psychiatric examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has any diagnosed psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service. If PTSD is found, it must be determined whether it is related to an in-service stressor or personal assault.,The claim for TDIU may need further development as it could be affected by the results of the above examinations.

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