Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for asbestosis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for heart disease due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 10, 2019 for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as the earliest date entitlement arose is July 10, 2019.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of May 17, 2018 for the award of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating of 10 percent for tinnitus. The effective date for the award of service connection for tinnitus is set at September 5, 2019.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and he is not entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for heart disease due to VA treatment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is a reasonable possibility of its development during service due to noise exposure. The decision also reopened the previously denied claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability in either condition, and that any etiology provided by the Veteran or his provider does not meet the required standard of medical evidence.

The Board denied a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to September 14, 2011 due to the preponderance of evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and TDIU due to inadequate notice regarding a proposed reduction in the Veteran's coronary artery disease rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The claim for a disability manifested by loss of balance is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service. The Veteran's appeal regarding restoration of the rating for depression is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to schedule VA examinations as requested by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received after the August 2006 rating decision.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected ischemic heart disease is denied, but he is granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 4, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since October 1, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 1, 2014.