Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for special monthly compensation based on being housebound or needing regular aid and attendance, as well as a temporary total evaluation for convalescence due to immobilization of left achilles tendinitis, were both denied by the Board.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, but granted service connection with a 10% rating for bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus and erectile dysfunction are granted service connection. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, left ear hearing loss, and prostate cancer claims are denied due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and active service. The Board noted that the Veteran did not meet the requirements for hearing loss disability for VA purposes in either ear and found insufficient evidence to establish a direct or presumptive link between his in-service noise exposure and his current conditions.

The Board has found that the service treatment records are missing and remands the case for a new opinion on whether tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that there is new and relevant evidence for the claims of service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and brain trauma. As a result, these issues are being remanded to allow for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability, coronary artery disease, prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on this condition.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for TDIU prior to January 31, 2022 is also remanded.

The veteran withdrew their appeals for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during active service.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC benefits was denied as their combined rating of service-connected disabilities is below the required threshold (70%) to be considered a 'serious injury' under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a prior formal or informal claim filed before December 16, 2019.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability to include depression, and vertigo was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.,Service connection is not granted as there is no direct evidence linking the current disabilities to active duty service.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted a 10% evaluation, effective from the date of this decision.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for readjudicating the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim is remanded due to incomplete service records and a need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the right ear hearing loss linked to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's claims are being returned for an addendum opinion to address his contentions of in-service noise exposure from artillery fire.