Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the law does not allow for retroactive payment prior to August 25, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for memory loss, secondary to residuals of subtotal transsphenoidal resection of benign pituitary macroadenoma. The Board also denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD) are granted service connection, but tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus should be January 23, 1979. The Veteran's initial claim included a request for service connection for hearing impairment, which was interpreted as including a claim for tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service onset or causation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure, and his tinnitus is secondary to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran and the need for a VA examination. The effective dates of service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss have also been adjusted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, hypertension, residuals of a left foot injury, headaches, and a sinus disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset or relationship to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus, a right foot disorder, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened, and the Board granted it. The rating for GERD remains at 30 percent, but the reduction in rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his right hip disability is denied as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a headache disorder due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims are now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown to be related to service, and the Board found that there was no credible evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptomatology. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

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 service.