Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected unknown febrile illness (claimed as malaria and cerebral malaria) is not active, resulting in no residuals other than the symptoms of epilepsy with mesial temporal sclerosis. The Veteran's epilepsy with mesial temporal sclerosis was rated based on its severity prior to September 9, 2019, and from that date onwards, a higher rating of 60 percent has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for coronary artery disease, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted due to new evidence showing the condition began during his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The Veteran's exercise-induced asthma was first diagnosed after service and is not linked to any aspect of her military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be established because the Veteran did not have a current disability at the time of the decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The issues of acquired psychiatric disability and right ear hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's claim was resolved.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, the Board dismissed these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 10 percent for mastoiditis and cholesteatoma of the left ear is granted, effective from March 6, 2011. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus is denied.

The Board has denied increased ratings for various conditions, including right knee disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for pharyngeal cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to exposure to ionizing radiation during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examination, failure to consider delayed onset, and lack of consideration of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection claims has been withdrawn due to the appellant's decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, OSA, and tinnitus rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from July 15, 2014 to December 13, 2018. Effective October 29, 2019, his combined evaluation for compensation was 90 percent, qualifying him for SMC at the statutory housebound rate.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C due to the Veteran's own drug use during service. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to an in-service head injury.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Board finds no legal basis for a higher rating and denies the claim. For the other issues, remand is required to obtain additional medical opinions and potentially new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims are based on direct service connection due to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left and right shoulder impingement syndrome, as well as service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remand is due to insufficient VA examinations in the original decision.