Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the appeals for issues related to effective dates and service connection.,The Board has also remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU based on migraine headaches.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IBS, and right knee pain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 28, 2009. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The colorectal and gastrointestinal disability issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for retinitis pigmentosa with deuteranomaly was reopened and granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cellulitis of the bilateral feet were dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder, back disability, left knee disability, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 25, 2012. The Board has granted the TDIU from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected shoulder and cervical spine disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to inextricability with these grants.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. After considering all available evidence, including a private audiometric report and VA examination opinions, the Board finds that these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for both disabilities.

The Board has decided service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea, but remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and tinnitus did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to November 3, 2017. Therefore, the claim for TDIU prior to this date is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent. The Board found no basis for a higher rating and denied his claim.,Service connection was not granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, as it was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for hiatal hernia with GERD was denied as the evidence did not show symptoms or impairment in earning capacity caused by the benign brain lesion.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, and service connection for diverticulitis and sleep apnea have been remanded due to conflicting opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. An addendum opinion is required from a VA clinician.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding his service exposure and medical history. The VA will need to obtain additional records, clarify the dates of active duty service, and schedule new examinations to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder is denied as the effective date cannot be earlier than August 7, 2017.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral ankle disabilities are remanded as there was no formal or informal claim received prior to August 7, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee is granted and the issue is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to the tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional evidence being received.