Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a mid-thigh amputation of the right leg, depression, various scars, tendon injuries, and neurological conditions. The decision is effective as of the date of the rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied. The claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was also denied, as there is no evidence of a hearing impairment disability under VA criteria. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied due to the passage of over 30 years since discharge without any evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied. The claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was also denied, as there is no evidence of a hearing impairment disability under VA criteria. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied due to the passage of over 30 years since discharge without any evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is a symptom of his hearing loss and not related to military noise exposure. The decision affords the benefit of doubt to the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether service-connected disability substantially contributed to the Veteran's death from an automobile accident. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran served on an aircraft carrier where he was exposed to noise, but his service records are unavailable. Further examination is needed to determine if his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and TDIU have been remanded due to the addition of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added to the record and the Veteran's request for AOJ initial consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus, finding that there was no indication of intent to apply for VA benefits prior to April 26, 2000.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's initial claim was received more than one year after his discharge from service and thus could not be granted prior to April 22, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the TDIU claim is remanded due to a need for updated VA Form 21-8940 and a combined effects medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted at a rating of 70 percent, effective prior to March 26, 2018. Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are denied. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and bilateral hearing loss due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and bilateral hearing loss are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis and an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent evaluation, effective from May 7, 2012. The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are each assigned the maximum 10 percent evaluations. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and abdomen GSW scars have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions, or sufficient medical opinion linking them to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected tinnitus, but more evidence is needed for a definitive conclusion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial claim for a disability rating of 60 percent for CAD was granted effective September 9, 2013. The earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and associated tinnitus were also granted on July 3, 2012.,The Veteran’s claim for a compensable schedular disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.