Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they require additional clarification from an audiologist regarding the relationship between his service-connected noise exposure and current hearing conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to noise exposure in service. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for basosquamous cell carcinoma is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current condition and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with anxiety is found to be the proximate cause of his current coronary artery disease (CAD). The Board has granted service connection for CAD as secondary to this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied. The claim for a higher rating for tinnitus, including on an extraschedular basis and as part of a TDIU claim, is also denied.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 28, 2009 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for TBI residuals and bilateral hearing loss, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The right knee disability remains pending.,Service connection was denied for TBI residuals due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to January 13, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and tinnitus are granted. The claim for tinnitus is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, duodenal ulcer, and mental health conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from April 28, 2008 onwards. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and tinnitus, both of which are presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to loud noise during active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that remand is needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the evidence is unclear regarding whether these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,For the period of August 14, 2014 to December 23, 2015, the Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent for locking, pain, and effusion with non-compensable limitation of motion and pain. A separate rating of 10 percent is granted from April 1, 2016 to June 22, 2016 for symptomatic, partially removed meniscus.,From October 1, 2016 to July 23, 2017, the Veteran received a temporary 100 percent rating due to partial knee replacement. From July 24, 2017 to July 17, 2018, he was rated at 60 percent for partial meniscectomy and partial knee replacement. Since September 2, 2019, the Veteran has been rated at 60 percent for total knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral tinea pedis, a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus for further action due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is due to in-service noise exposure.