Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Tinnitus was not linked to service, as the Veteran reported it began during service but there is no documented history or treatment for tinnitus in service records. Bilateral hearing loss was also not linked to service based on a thorough VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examination opinions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion that addresses the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions likely render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between her current hearing loss and military service. The TDIU claim was granted as the Veteran meets the criteria for unemployability due to her service-connected disabilities.,The DEA claim remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected, but his tinnitus is found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 6, 2014 through March 14, 2020. Effective January 6, 2014, the Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings do not meet the criteria for TDIU and there is insufficient evidence of record regarding his employment status.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development, including obtaining all relevant audiometric testing results and scheduling an examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen a claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The claims for shin splints, right ankle, left ankle, right wrist, left wrist, right shoulder, and low back disabilities have been reopened due to receipt of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as secondary to hearing loss. The remand requires an addendum medical opinion addressing the impact of the Veteran's noise exposure during service and considering new evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected, with an effective date of March 21, 2017.,An earlier effective date of March 21, 2017 for the 40 percent rating assigned for lumbosacral strain and discogenic disease is granted.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (claimed as diverticulosis) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a prostate disability (claimed as prostate cancer) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are all remanded due to lack of evidence regarding their relationships with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for osteopenia is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and extraschedular TDIU, finding insufficient evidence to determine if he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was not proper, and both conditions have been restored.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, either before or after July 26, 2012.

The appeal seeking service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is dismissed due to the Veteran's death before a decision was made.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has identified new evidence and is remanding the case for readjudication by the RO in light of this additional information.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability based on individual unemployability prior to June 27, 2018 is remanded due to changes in his service-connected conditions and the need for additional evidence regarding his ability to work.