Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran is not entitled to TDIU prior to May 9, 2012 and earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria being met before May 23, 2013.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted as service connected due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his need for aid and attendance, but did not cause him to be housebound. Therefore, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, but denied SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claims of right and left knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the bilateral hearing loss claim due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities rated at 60 percent or more, qualifies him for both TDIU and SMC based on housebound status from June 10, 2016 to April 5, 2018.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as their relationship to service. The VA examiner will need to address the Veteran's lay statements and buddy statements regarding symptoms of hearing loss in service due to hazardous military noise exposure and hearing difficulties upon his return from Vietnam.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis to grant a higher rating.

Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU effective August 14, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding no clear and unmistakable error in previous findings but concluding that there is not a causal relationship between the Veteran's current tinnitus and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, effective from May 16, 2016. The earlier date of May 16, 2016, is the earliest possible effective date as there was no prior formal or informal claim filed before this date.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran, through her authorized representative, requested withdrawal of all issues related to PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee pain, and left knee pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its decision regarding TDIU, specifically addressing whether the Veteran is capable of sedentary work.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed Auditory Processing Disorder and granted a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD from August 6, 2015 to October 15, 2019.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all pending claims and appeals.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals regarding timeliness of a submission of a Notice of Disagreement for an earlier effective date for fracture of the right hand, 5th metacarpal and an earlier effective date prior to March 15, 2017 for service connection of PTSD. The claims for service connection for back disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to PTSD, right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 100%, combined. He does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 's' rate, and his TDIU claim is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a scheduling issue and requests for a new VA examination.