Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and PTSD, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

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 nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right chondromalacia patella, did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to November 25, 2019.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 30, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are currently rated at the minimum (10%) level, as they do not meet criteria for higher ratings under VA rating schedules. The Board found that the current schedular evaluations adequately account for the Veteran's symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating prior to September 18, 2009 and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back injury, neck injury, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, left elbow disability, and flat feet (pes planus) due to a duty to assist error in obtaining missing service records from Stuttgart, Germany.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the VA needs to assess the collective impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 19, 2013 for the award of service connection for tinnitus is denied as there was no prior unadjudicated claim. The Veteran is already in receipt of the earliest possible effective date allowed under law.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete records, inadequate examination, and unclear etiology of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no disability rating or effective date was assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for hypertension and entitlement to a TDIU prior to April 17, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than December 23, 2015, for hearing loss and tinnitus are denied. The effective date of service connection was set at December 23, 2015, when the Veteran requested to reopen his prostate cancer claim.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than December 23, 2015, for tinnitus and hearing loss are denied as they were not filed prior to that date. The effective date of service connection was set at December 23, 2015, when the Veteran requested to reopen his prostate cancer claim.,The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for residuals of prostate cancer with urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction are denied as there is no evidence that a claim was filed prior to December 23, 2015. The effective date of service connection was set at December 23, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of prostate cancer is remanded as his symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been granted. The effective dates are not specified as they were granted upon receipt of the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, shin splints of the right leg, shin splints of the left leg, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but the Board has determined that further development is needed as to these issues. The Veteran's claim for a bilateral eye or vision disability remains remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no competent evidence linking her current tinnitus to service.