Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence when readjudicating the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, seizures, and TBI are remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection. Additional VA examinations and medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA emergency medical services provided by Cardiology Consultants of Orange County Medical Group, Inc. (CCOC) during an episode of care dated January 14, 2019, to January 21, 2019, is granted as the claim was filed within 90 days of attempting to seek reimbursement from Medicare.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to November 7, 2019, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (to include depression) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the current rating of 10% already reflects the maximum schedular rating available.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as her hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable rating schedule.,The claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, low back, neck, right-hand, and left-hand disabilities are remanded due to new relevant evidence having been received since their last adjudication.,The claim for service connection for stress incontinence is remanded as new relevant evidence has been received since its last adjudication.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded as new relevant evidence has been received since its last adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 6, 2022 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied. The formal claim was received more than one year after the intent to file a claim.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 10, 1982 for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and tinnitus are dismissed. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right wrist disorder is remanded.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted as it is directly related to in-service loud noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis prior to August 1, 2023 due to failure to substantially comply with the Board's October 2023 remand directive.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus have been granted.,Service connection has been established for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathies as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.,Regarding tinnitus, while it is not presumed due to herbicide exposure or a specific period of service, the Veteran's claim will be remanded for further consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, low back disability, and left knee disability due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the effective loss or permanent loss of use of at least one lower extremity, specifically his right foot due to radiculopathy. The Board has determined that this meets the criteria for eligibility for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have arisen from his active-duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus as they were not adequately addressed in the previous decision. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination to provide medical opinions regarding his conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.,The Veteran's left inguinal hernia repair does not more nearly approximate a post-operative recurrent inguinal hernia, readily reducible and well supported by a truss or belt, warranting a compensable rating.,The Veteran's posterior trunk scar, post lumbar surgery, and anterior trunk scar, status post hernia repair do not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating under DC 7802 due to their size and nature.,No effective date provided as this is a denial of claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during active service and have been continuous since then.