Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Veteran is granted TDIU prior to July 3, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the symptoms are contemplated by the current rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while his claim for hemorrhoids as secondary to hypertension was granted. The Veteran received a 10 percent increased rating for sinusitis but the request for a higher rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea with asthma was denied.

The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and has persisted since then, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, but dismissed the appeals related to other conditions.

The Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for the period beginning May 25, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision did not address issues related to PTSD, TDIU, or other disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and migraine headaches, but has remanded the cases of right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, right tibia shin splint, and left tibia shin splint.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of such assistance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities because his combined evaluation was at least 70% and he satisfied the schedular rating criteria. The evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 19, 2022 for SMC and SMC (p) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher rate of SMC benefits at the P-2 level due to additional independent service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred on July 21, 2022 for COVID pneumonia treatment were reimbursed as the care was emergent and a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous. The service-connected disabilities aggravated by this care are also considered.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, and tinnitus. The diagnoses are based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and post-service medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 27, 2014 is being remanded. Additionally, the earlier effective date for DEA benefits is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to the evidence being at least in approximate balance that the Veteran's tinnitus began during military service and has been continuous since then.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (left and right) is denied because there is no current diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome or any other disorder of the wrists resulting in functional impairment.,Service connection for bilateral ankle osteoarthritis (left and right) is remanded as VA examination was not provided to address the Veteran's lay reports of chronic ankle pain that began in service and has continued since then.,Service connection for left knee osteoarthritis is granted due to the evidence being at least in approximate balance that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis had onset during active service, manifested within one year of separation from active service (by December 1998), or was otherwise caused by his reports of chronic knee pain due to active service.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder due to lack of current disability. The claims are REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, lower back (bulged disc), and tinnitus conditions due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran must be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA was granted, with the earliest effective dates being May 18, 2018.,The Veteran is now eligible to receive DEA benefits from May 18, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus is denied as the earliest possible effective date has already been assigned by VA.