Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate VA opinions. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining additional evidence and a new opinion from an appropriate physician.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis since April 14, 2010 to January 17, 2011 due to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 16, 2012 was denied as he had maintained full-time employment and earned more than the poverty threshold during that period.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during service and has been continuous since separation. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as the Veteran's current tinnitus did not manifest during or within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted a TDIU as of July 1, 2019 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) making it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, eczema (skin condition), erectile dysfunction, a back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including malignant melanoma, lymphoma, tinnitus, obesity, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and sleep apnea have all been denied. The denial is based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any other relevant factor.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted due to continuous symptoms since service, meeting the requirements of presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increase in his PTSD rating is denied, and he is granted a TDIU effective March 14, 2017. His PTSD symptoms are currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's recurrent tinnitus began during service and continued since separation.

The Veteran's service connection for insomnia, as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, is granted. The issues of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and an initial compensable rating for hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as the VA opinion obtained prior to the July 2019 rating decision did not adequately address the Veteran's diagnoses of unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, which are related to his service in Korea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating for service-connected degenerative disc disease and spondylosis to 20 percent effective November 1, 2019 is improper. The Veteran's 40 percent rating is restored. Additionally, the Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for tinnitus, hip condition, and right ankle condition due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty in the effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his need for regular aid and attendance. A new medical opinion is required.