Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, atopic dermatitis, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss were denied as she does not meet the regulatory threshold for hearing loss under VA criteria.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for Parkinson's disease and kidney cancer are granted based on chemical exposures during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of probative value in the VA examiner's opinion regarding its onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence of an exceptional disability picture or additional functional impairment that would warrant a higher rating.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection and initial ratings for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lumbar radiculopathy, right knee disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and left elbow disability are denied. Service connection for major depressive disorder is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran contends that his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and liver cancer as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C. The decision also grants service connection for tinnitus, finding that it began during active-duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable prior to June 23, 2014, and therefore the effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's testimony at his June 2023 Board hearing provided credible evidence of in-service noise exposure, which is sufficient to establish service connection for tinnitus. However, a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the appeal for service connection for right ear tinnitus was granted. The decision does not address specially adapted housing.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include posttraumatic stress disorder, right knee limitations, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and other conditions. The evidence shows that the Veteran requires significant assistance with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, grooming, and attending to hygiene needs.

The Veteran's claim for additional retroactive VA disability compensation benefits under the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payment (CRDP) program is remanded due to insufficient information from the retired pay center and DFAS records. The AOJ must provide a detailed review of the Veteran's compensation award, specifically for the period prior to April 1, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and TBI have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral pes planus (flat feet). The Veteran's claims for hypertension and hypothyroidism are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service hazardous noise exposure.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as service-connected, with the Board concluding that there is no persuasive evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and active service.,PTSD is remanded for further development including verification of stressors and provision of a VA psychiatric opinion.,An acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (to include depression and anxiety) is also remanded, with the same considerations as PTSD.,Essential tremors of the left and right hands are remanded due to their potential connection to PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a back disability, and a headache disability (including migraines). The Board found no credible evidence of in-service incurrence or relationship to service.,There is no persuasive medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from April 1, 2017, through September 9, 2018.,As of September 10, 2018, the Veteran's combined disability rating reached 100%, making the issue moot and dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate examination.