Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding entitlement to a compensable rating for migraine headaches, service connection for a sleep disorder, radiating pain in the right lower extremity, sinusitis, lumbar spine disorder, ganglion cyst of the left foot, depression, left foot bone sprain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appeals are dismissed due to improper use of an outdated appeal form.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for TBI has also been denied, with the Board finding that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no new and relevant evidence received subsequent to the February 2018 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence from the Iowa National Guard.

The Veteran's deviated nasal septum is denied a compensable rating.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, but the RO must obtain a new VA medical opinion to address its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for neck disability, tinnitus, and OSA as secondary to PTSD are all granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to bilateral ear disorder, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and schedule examinations to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain addendum opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not meet the regulatory requirements for a disability at separation, but his tinnitus is presumed to have begun in-service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 12, 2019.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected PTSD, which prevented him from working. The Board granted a TDIU rating for the period from August 28, 2018, to April 8, 2021.

The Veteran's death was not due to willful misconduct, but his death was not the result of a condition that he had been rated as totally disabled for at least 10 years prior to his death. The appeal is remanded to obtain outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus and squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa have been granted service connection, with tinnitus being linked to in-service noise exposure and squamous cell carcinoma linked to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The issue of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for COPD as it had already been granted. The Veteran was granted entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and has continued to the present, warranting service connection.,There is no current evidence of right ear hearing loss meeting VA criteria for a disability. The Veteran's hearing was tested in September 2015, which did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.,The Veteran has not presented evidence of a current diagnosis of epididymitis during the period on appeal. His service treatment records indicate several instances of treatment for epididymitis and testicular pain during service, but his separation examination in March 1999 indicated a clinically normal genitourinary system.,The Veteran's testimony regarding migraine headaches was not examined or addressed in this decision.,The Veteran's testimony regarding obstructive sleep apnea was not examined or addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the cases due to scheduling errors for VA examinations and requests that the Veteran provide any private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claims for left knee disorder and right knee disorder are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence shows that his symptoms have been present since service and are related to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.