Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed the appeals for Right Thumb and Forefinger Disability, Right Toe Disability, and Sinusitis. The appeal for Tinnitus is granted. The appeal for Back Disability remains pending.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as not meeting VA disability criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period prior to December 29, 2017. The Board has remanded the case to consider a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status due to lack of evidence showing he needed regular assistance or was permanently housebound. The TDIU issue is remanded for consideration of entitlement from May 11, 2016 to February 17, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his age and other non-service-connected conditions are the primary factors preventing employment.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's in-service exposure to hazardous noise is considered, but additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU from February 13, 2018. Additionally, his single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent (PTSD) combined with additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more qualify him for SMC under specific VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to April 9, 2014 due to insufficient development and consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 5, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have prevented him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation throughout the claim period, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to noise exposure during military service. The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown by competent medical evidence to be related to his active duty.,Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need to obtain additional information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II (DM) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as regulation of activities is not required to manage DM. For TDIU prior to February 12, 2013, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were deemed insufficient to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran experienced acoustic trauma during service and continues to have symptoms of these conditions.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for low back disability. The Veteran reported experiencing pain during service and has continued since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to attend VA examinations. The RO is instructed to schedule new VA examinations and obtain any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected mental health disorder. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity, and no nexus to service has been established.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and a new opinion regarding service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.