Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left eye conjunctivitis is remanded for further evaluation.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound, thus SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that his current disability resulted from in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher initial rating of 40 percent is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate medical opinions.,All issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine condition, and traumatic brain injury will be addressed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not incur these conditions during active duty or due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss did not worsen during service.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus and bilateral tinea pedis. The Veteran reported experiencing these conditions since service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the sacroiliac joints and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for PTSD is remanded.,Service connection cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a current disability, an in-service event, or a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims were denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for a schedular or extraschedular rating, and he does not require regular aid and attendance due to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and eye disability have been reopened, but the matter is remanded to provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to September 28, 2021, and the TDIU claim prior to that date were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 50 percent or 70 percent for PTSD prior to September 28, 2021, and after that date, respectively.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for high cholesterol was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the condition having been shown in service and continuing since then.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral foot conditions, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would have otherwise qualified him during the period from October 21, 2015 through October 10, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds the Veteran's report of noise exposure during service consistent with his DD214, and acknowledges that he has indicated a continuity of symptomatology from service to present. However, the Board also notes that there are no service treatment records documenting any relevant complaints or diagnoses of tinnitus. The Veteran was provided an addendum opinion on remand regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine disability due to carrying heavy protective gear during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, as they are not rated at 60% or more combined with other disabilities. The Board found that he can still secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder, tinnitus, headache disorder, and a heart murmur. The Board has ordered the retrieval of SSA records to clarify eligibility for benefits. The appeals are remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disorder is being remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for his lumbosacral strain is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions began in service and have continued since.