Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, coronary artery disease, and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected as it was present during service and continues to this day.,Service connection for a back disability is granted, with the condition being related to in-service injuries. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the current back disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and entitlement to TDIU prior to August 15, 2013. The Veteran's employment at ML was not considered marginal or in a protected environment, and his gross earnings exceeded the poverty threshold.

The Veteran's inguinal hernia was granted service connection, while his claims for myeloma and other conditions were denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of manifestation within one year post-service and no evidence of onset in service.,Service connection for hepatitis B is denied as the disability does not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for migraine headaches, a right knee disability, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran is also seeking earlier effective dates for his service connection awards.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to delays in contacting him and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran needs to provide additional evidence, including authorization for treatment records, and the RO should schedule another VA examination.

The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, hypertension and tinnitus are all granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a disease entity during service or within one year of separation. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore a TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection was denied for residuals of a head injury due to a motor vehicle accident.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision on bilateral hearing loss is based on the lack of a link between current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure, while the decision on tinnitus finds that symptoms began during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are as likely as not related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal cancer due to in-service asbestos exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain opinions from appropriate clinicians regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s conditions, including a discussion of the clinical significance of an NCI Fact Sheet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating. However, there is evidence suggesting he may be unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, warranting referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has remanded his claim for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for eustachian tube dysfunction, claimed as vertigo, is dismissed. The Board found that the issue was already resolved in a previous rating decision and no longer remains in controversy.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran was awarded a TDIU effective January 24, 2014. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during the period from May 15, 2013 (the date following his last day of full-time employment) and awarded TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and reopening of service connection claims related to his knee conditions, low back strain, tinnitus, and hepatitis C.