Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD are granted with an effective date of May 10, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his spine disability and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 12, 2022. The effective date for the TDIU is set at December 12, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on multiple conditions is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The issues include tinnitus, major depressive disorder (MDD), lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), right lower extremity radiculopathy, right wrist sprain, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 70 percent due to suicidal ideation.,Tinnitus has not been found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further review.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The reduction of the rating for bronchitis from 30 percent to 10 percent was upheld, but restoration of the 30 percent rating is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a foot disorder and tinnitus need further investigation due to incomplete records of his military service.

The Board has restored service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, finding that the character of discharge was not a bar to VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, left shoulder strain, and tinnitus have been granted. However, the claims for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating. Her degenerative arthritis lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent and her tinnitus is rated at 10 percent. The appeals for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to acoustic trauma during his active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for TBI, headaches, tinnitus, a low back condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions in the September 2021 VA examination. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new VA medical opinions addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance and housebound status due to a lack of adequate medical opinions addressing the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show abdominal pain related to defecation, which is required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7319.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted after new and relevant evidence was submitted showing the onset of tinnitus during his time on an aircraft carrier. The Board found that the Veteran had in-service noise exposure and credible statements supporting continued symptoms since service.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.,However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC by reason of being housebound as he does not have a single disability rated 100% disabling with other service-connected independently ratable at 60%, or be permanently housebound by reason of service-connected disability or disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the legacy appeal system.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus remains pending, as it was not addressed by the November 2023 and May 2024 decisions. The maximum schedular rating has been reached.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, the Board has granted TDIU effective from April 5, 2019.