Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service noise exposure and their current conditions. The AOJ must seek clarification of private audiometry results and obtain a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the evidence showing continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding secondary service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with additional evidence and an expert opinion is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to a rating of at least 70 percent, meeting the schedular requirements for TDIU. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran can secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are attributable to service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran is not in need of aid and attendance solely due to his service-connected conditions, but also requires assistance from nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, neuropathies, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and memory loss for further development. The disability rating for left eye blindness is also being remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss have been rated based on the highest schedular ratings available. The left ear hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left fibula healed fracture and scar are remanded for further examination to determine their severity.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but he was granted service connection for tinnitus. He also received a TDIU rating effective from December 10, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for tinnitus due to unavailability of a positive medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral foot conditions are granted. The issues of service connection for left and right foot tarsal tunnel syndrome, peroneal tendonitis, and calcaneal spurs are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities required the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and nonservice-connected pension due to the Veteran's failure to attend VA examinations. The issues will be reconsidered after further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his disabilities. The VA is required to provide a new examination if the existing evidence does not contain sufficient competent medical evidence to decide the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, as well as increased ratings for right foot plantar fasciitis and low back disorder, were granted effective April 24, 2017.,However, the effective dates for these grants are not earlier than April 24, 2017.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus remains March 13, 2016.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records and his VR&E files, as these documents are relevant to the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claims for headaches, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine (neck) disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability is granted. The claim for hypertension remains pending.