Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, knee, hand, wrist, foot, and eye conditions, as well as a psychiatric disability (PTSD), are remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further evaluation.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from February 20, 2015 to January 3, 2021 due to service-connected seizure disorder. Simultaneously, SMC at the housebound rate was also granted for this period.

The Veteran's tinnitus, left wrist disability, and right knee disability related to his service-connected ankle disability have been granted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted an initial 10 percent rating effective September 29, 2017.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and hypertension have all been granted with effective dates of September 29, 2017.,Service connection for a left knee disability has not been established.,Service connection for a right knee disability has not been established.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (social anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) has been granted.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and a rating of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis prior to November 4, 2020. From that date onwards, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is remanded.,The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain with lumbar spondylosis remains under review.

The Veteran's tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and low back disability are all found to be at least as likely as not due to his active-duty service.,The Veteran's OSA is also found to be at least as likely as not proximately due to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.,PTSD with sleep disturbance and anxiety, along with MDD with insomnia secondary to herpes simplex are both granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the VA Regional Office (RO) did not provide a proper SOC addressing all issues on appeal and returned the case for further development. The Veteran's lower back disability and tinnitus claims are also remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability secondary to a service-connected low back disability. The appeal of service connection for gout was withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been dismissed. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection claims have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and addendum opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is found to be secondary to his BPPV, and he is granted service connection for BPPV. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied extraschedular ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered presumptively service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's current tinnitus is presumed service-connected as it has been shown to be continuous since his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is remanded due to the need for a new evaluation considering his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been dismissed. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the claims and the appeals were not properly perfected.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraines has been granted, and she is now receiving a 50% rating. She also received a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her migraine headaches since January 1, 2018. Additionally, she was awarded special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to evidence showing his service-connected disabilities make him unable to work in a physical environment, and he is not meeting the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for diabetes mellitus is secondary to presumed herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also granted.