Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected conditions result in the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been granted special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot since December 21, 2021, due to the receipt of a 100% schedular rating and special monthly compensation (SMC). The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to December 21, 2021, is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and acid reflux are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to new and material evidence received since the prior denial in December 2007.,However, the claims are still denied as there is no probative medical evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the May 2018 VA examination report.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from May 10, 2006 to January 21, 2019 and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) effective September 9, 2008 due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied, as the symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.,Left ear hearing loss was found to be noncompensable under VA compensation criteria due to lack of impairment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. The right knee disability issue was remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to exposure to loud noise during military service. The Veteran's symptoms of hearing loss and ringing in the ears were chronic during service and continue since separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability of the lumbar spine and tinnitus have been remanded due to procedural issues in the legacy system. The Board will issue an SOC if the Veteran does not withdraw his NOD or file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis of the left upper thigh, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of a current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further development.

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

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective November 22, 2016. Effective May 10, 2023, the rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis and other respiratory disorders due to a lack of VA examination, and will provide updated treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet his burden of establishing an inability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's tinnitus disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service, with the Board finding that any current conditions are more likely due to post-service noise exposure.