Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back condition, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica due to potential errors in the decision-making process and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms are credible, but further evidence is needed to establish whether his current conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection of TBI, posttraumatic headaches as secondary to TBI, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for back condition and hypertension are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as of September 12, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities meeting the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee replacements and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that his service-connected conditions prevent him from obtaining and maintaining such employment.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted. However, the decision on service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a history of noise exposure in service and credible testimony indicating he experienced ringing in his ears since service, which the Board resolves in favor of the Veteran. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate audiometric testing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a history of noise exposure in service and credible testimony indicating he experienced ringing in his ears since service, which is considered tinnitus. Service connection is granted as it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current tinnitus began during service. For bilateral hearing loss, the claim is remanded due to inadequate medical examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while the Board finds no evidence of a relationship between his current bilateral hearing loss and active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to a TDIU claim, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU. The VA will need to consider whether his disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of chronic tinnitus in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found inconsistent reports from the Veteran regarding when and where his tinnitus began.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative joint disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right ankle sprain, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined service-connected disability rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic, atypical ear pain with tinnitus was denied as the condition is already rated at its maximum under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to conflicting medical opinions and additional evidence. The claims will be further developed by the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, pseudofolliculitis barbae, radiculopathy, right lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, radiculopathy, left lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, right elbow fracture postoperative, and tinnitus, have resulted in the Veteran being unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 25, 2021.

Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and tinnitus.,The Veteran's headaches, PTSD, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for right testicle removal, a back disorder, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for psychiatric disorder is reopened but not granted as the Veteran does not have sleep apnea or hypertension that are related to service.,The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a relationship between the diagnosed psychiatric disorders and service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and low back disability claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology. The AOJ must ensure that all development has been completed before final adjudication.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from September 23, 2019 to January 28, 2021. The Board also referred the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to September 23, 2019 on an extraschedular basis for consideration by the Director of Compensation Service.