Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and TDIU was denied. The initial rating for reversible obstructive airway disease prior to May 25, 2022 is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DCs 6604-6602. For the period from May 25, 2022, the Veteran's disability remains at 30 percent and no higher rating is warranted. The Board also found that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease (coronary artery disease), hypertension, residuals of stroke associated with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity, and right foot amputation of two toes have been granted due to new and material evidence. The Veteran is presumed to be exposed to herbicide agents while serving in Korea.,The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been granted due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran is found unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus from July 29, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues of back, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The Veteran's PTSD rating remains under review.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus, finding that no informal claim was made prior to April 16, 2013.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection.,Service connection for low back disability is remanded due to lack of a clear etiology opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's tinnitus claim must be reviewed with a new VA medical opinion that addresses the nature and etiology of his tinnitus, including whether it is causally related to military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board has remanded the issues of left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange, but did not make a decision on these claims.

The Board has readjudicated the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding new evidence relevant to these issues. The claims of service connection for right knee disability and left knee disability are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right-ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, while his claim for left-ear hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting audiometric test results and need for additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection based on continuity of symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA medical opinion is needed to distinguish between service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asbestosis, a higher disability rating for his left knee disability, and a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing all of his appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on housebound status, finding that he did not meet the criteria for such benefits prior to September 19, 2018.

The Veteran's total combined disability rating remains at 60 percent after the grant of a 10 percent evaluation for hypertension, as his other service-connected conditions do not warrant an increase in the overall rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining adequate etiological opinions and reasonably identified records not currently in the claims file.