Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not result in functional impairment that precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 2, 2017. Therefore, a TDIU rating prior to this date is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has found that the VA examination provided in July 2018 is inadequate for decision-making purposes and requires an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed tinnitus. The claim is being remanded to allow for this additional development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no medical nexus between the current disabilities and service. The Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure were not supported by evidence or credible opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right hip osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis, and tinnitus due to incomplete service medical records. The Veteran is advised to provide alternative forms of evidence and any pertinent treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the effective date of his temporary total evaluation was not earlier than September 21, 2015, and denied higher schedular ratings for his right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service. The right hip and left hip disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Issues regarding service connection for hemorrhoids, cervical spine disability, and dysphagia are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, granted effective dates of April 25, 2011 for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for PTSD prior to February 24, 2015.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's back disability as there is no probative evidence linking it to his active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, a low back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, a lumbar back scar, and tinnitus. The remaining claims have been remanded.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection effective April 26, 2018. The Veteran is now receiving the maximum schedular rating for his tinnitus.,TDIU was granted from January 15, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relation to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diarrhea of uncertain etiology due to failure to schedule VA examinations. The Veteran is required to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain employment, and the Board granted a TDIU for the appeal period from January 23, 2015 to February 7, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are as likely as not due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The low back disability claim is remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right knee disability due to new evidence received since the final denial. The claim for coronary artery disease remains pending as it was granted on a presumptive basis.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, tinnitus, bilateral eye disability, erectile dysfunction, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral sinusitis, vertigo, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to the lack of new evidence.,Service connection was also denied for insomnia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The appellant's testimony at the January 2020 hearing supports a link between his current disabilities and noise exposure during active duty training.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the case for a new examination to determine if hearing loss is related to service. The Veteran's claims are pending and will be reconsidered after further evaluation.