Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that both conditions began in service and have continued since separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during his service and has continued since then, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's TBI is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error where the VA examiner did not address whether his bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, unspecified neurocognitive disorder, cold intolerance and fatigue due to hyperthyroidism, Grave's disease, transient memory loss, nocturnal leg cramps, right upper extremity tingling and numbness, dizziness are related to his TBI. A retrospective opinion is needed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate prior to July 19, 2021 was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% or a TDIU due solely to a single disability and additional service-connected disability ratable at 60%, separate and distinct from the 100% service-connected disability.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective January 28, 2021, based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reconsider the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to an error in the previous VA opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's continuous ringing in his ears since service is a credible and competent report. However, service connection for psychiatric disability was denied as there is no medical evidence linking any diagnosed condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to military noise exposure during service. Service connection was denied for cervical spine disability due to a lack of evidence linking the current condition to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Meniere's disease and tinnitus associated with the condition were remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that prior to August 7, 2020, there was no evidence of attacks of vertigo or cerebellar gait warranting a higher rating under DC 6205. From August 7, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's tinnitus is already rated at its maximum under DC 6260.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right knee disability, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability are all found to be related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for each of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hip conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus type II.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the previously denied claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disability, heart disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Additional VA treatment records must be obtained and considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examinations in the July 2018 VA examination. A new examination is needed to determine if service connection can be established.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to disease or injury in service including any in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board denied service connection for headache disability and granted service connection for tinnitus, both of which are claimed by the Veteran. The denial is based on lack of evidence of current disability at the time of filing or during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new evidence obtained from the Department of Defense and the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, neck disability, back condition, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle and foot disorders. However, the claims have been remanded due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence obtained after the prior decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), adenocarcinoma of the prostate, status post radical prostatectomy, and diabetes mellitus type 2 have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Thailand.,Service connection is established for these conditions under the provisions of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act (PACT Act) of 2022.

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