Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's hearing loss is not service-connected, but his tinnitus began during service and has been granted.,Issues for diabetes mellitus type II, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), prostate cancer, and hypertension have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dyslipidemia is denied as it is not a disability under VA law and regulations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine strain, low back pain, degenerative joint diseases of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet, allergic rhinitis, peptic ulcer, diverticulosis, hiatal hernia, erectile dysfunction, benign prostate hyperplasia, memory disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depression are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a total disability rating due to unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the above-mentioned issues.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and thoracolumbar spine disability. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, but he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The TDIU claim is granted.,The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities that render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under VA regulations. The claim of service connection for ear damage was referred to the AOJ.

The Board has granted a TDIU from January 31, 2011 until May 8, 2017 due to the combined effect of service-connected disabilities preventing the Veteran from securing or following gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea due to a lack of adequate medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded. The claim for a higher rating for other specified depressive disorder has been granted, but the effective date is not provided.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a skin disorder, and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left shoulder disability and other conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his disabilities. The Board found that he was unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims at this time.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the right knee, hallux valgus or bunions on both feet, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these disabilities were related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU is denied as his date of entitlement to a schedular TDIU is March 31, 2018. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the economic component of a TDIU prior to March 30, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have been rated as 100% disabling, qualifying him for special monthly compensation at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). The claim is dismissed because the criteria are met.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 12, 2014. He is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and will be considered on the merits. The Board is unable to make a fully-informed decision without additional medical evidence regarding whether his current psychiatric condition is related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no current disability in either ear, and any pre-existing left ear hearing loss did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since October 7, 2019. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.