Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an ear disorder (Meniere's syndrome), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and bulimia nervosa) have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,There are no medical records showing the Veteran developed any of these conditions during his active service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's service records do not show any specific findings of hearing loss or tinnitus, but post-service evaluations indicate current conditions. Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has maintained substantial gainful employment since July 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right hip disorder. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, IBS, Hemorrhoids, Right Thumb Scar, Right Ear Hearing Loss, and Tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 15, 2020. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate for the period from December 22, 2014 to October 21, 2019 due to service-connected PTSD. Chapter 35 DEA benefits are also granted during this time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which combined had an 80 percent rating with one individually rated at 50 percent, have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

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

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has also been denied.

The Board has ordered the remand of several issues due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings remain under review.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus claim should be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between service and tinnitus.

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 Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as they have been granted in a December 2013 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in functional impairment sufficient to prevent substantially gainful employment prior to July 7, 2017.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis need to be remanded due to inadequate VA examination.