Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated at the maximum schedular disability rating of 50 percent since July 12, 2010. Additionally, from July 12, 2010, a TDIU has also been granted due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are more likely than not caused by military noise exposure. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder), substance abuse disorder, hepatitis C, and hypertension remain remanded due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors and potential herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of stress fractures (shin splints) bilateral due to conflicting evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's representative cited a more recent article suggesting delayed onset hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board finds that additional development is necessary for the remaining issues, including obtaining complete STRs and VA medical opinions.

The Veteran was granted an extraschedular TDIU from November 9, 2012 to December 13, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and allergies, but denied reopening of the claims for degenerative joint disease of the knees and depression. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of back condition, cervical spine condition, and allergies.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis C, and tinnitus due to incomplete records from VA medical facilities. The Veteran is also asked to provide updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability benefits records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for left wrist, right wrist, sinusitis, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 2, 2020. The combined rating of his conditions was at least 50% but never reached the level required for a TDIU rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current tinnitus is not related to service and did not manifest within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left shoulder condition, right shoulder arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of hearing loss due to inadequate examination and missing personnel records.

The Veteran's asthma, diagnosed after service and presumed related to exposure to burn pits under the PACT Act, is granted. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted. A rating for multiple noncompensable disabilities is remanded.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 28, 2017 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The issue of service connection for chronic sinusitis is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not precluded from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbar spine disability have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claims and established that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to need the regular aid and assistance of another person, which has been granted for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.