Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's challenges to the creation of an overpayment and his claim for a waiver of its recoupment were denied as untimely. The Board found that the Veteran did not timely challenge the creation of the overpayment within one year from the issuance of the final action notice, and he also failed to file his waiver claim within 180 days after receiving the demand letter.

The Board has determined that new evidence supports the readjudication of claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current diagnoses of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, with competent and credible lay and medical evidence supporting this conclusion.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status prior to October 26, 2016 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of having a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or greater.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as related to in-service exposure to asbestos and construction particulates.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, other specified trauma-related disorder, or depression, is denied due to lack of a valid diagnosis under DSM-5 criteria.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as not having manifested within one year of separation from service or being otherwise related to service exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to May 28, 2019 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of being permanently and substantially confined to his immediate premises due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and chronic fatigue syndrome due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to October 16, 2013. Therefore, a TDIU is granted since October 16, 2013, but no earlier.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, spondylolisthesis with spina bifida, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to potential missing SSA records.

The Board has remanded several claims for further examination and review, including those related to left knee, shoulder, back, ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus disabilities. The issues are all secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 12, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service exposure to loud noise.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied the claims for a dental condition for compensation and treatment purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to October 27, 2015, due to the need for further action by the Director, VA Compensation Service.

The Veteran's claim for a scar of the posterolateral scalp was granted with an effective date of July 28, 2011.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted. The Veteran reported experiencing these conditions during service and continuing to experience them since then.,Service connection for hepatitis C/liver disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to hazardous noise. As a result, the claim for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right hip arthritis with hip joint replacement and left hip trochanteric, bursitis, degenerative arthritis, and prosthetic left hip joint, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's left ankle DJD is granted a 20% rating, but no more. The lumbar spine disability remains at 40%. A TDIU is granted.