Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding earlier effective dates for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability, and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus is denied as the earliest date of claim was April 9, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain, right hip osteoarthritis, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, tinnitus, and gastritis and GERD. The evidence supports the claims based on direct service connection.

The Board has determined that a medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as both conditions are rated based on their severity under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as direct service connection due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to TDIU, and referred it for extraschedular consideration as to entitlement to TDIU benefits.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's current disability of tinnitus is considered established, and the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits was denied as he does not have an employment handicap and is therefore not in need of rehabilitation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, tinnitus, sleep apnea, left ulnar nerve neuritis, and right leg tibia stress fracture as no claim or intent to file a claim was received by VA prior to April 8, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee arthritis and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on direct evidence, not a presumption or secondary condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for residuals of left hand injury due to lack of evidence linking current condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and hearing loss, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including tinnitus, sleep apnea, skin condition, heart condition, hypertension, and foot fungus are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The issues include bilateral foot disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus (secondary to hearing loss), and bilateral ankle disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to February 7, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a nexus to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as both conditions are rated based on their severity under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.