Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened and the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension, which existed prior to service, was aggravated by his active duty service. Service connection for hypertension based on aggravation of a disability that existed prior to service is granted.,The issue of service connection for chronic headaches remains pending as it requires further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active-duty service, including exposure to noise during combat in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claim for myelodysplastic syndrome, right ear hearing loss disability, and tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection was established based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has denied an initial rating greater than 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus and remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating prior to November 19, 2019, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claim is also remanded for development related to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, while the claims for diabetes, heart disease, right lower extremity neurological disability, left lower extremity neurological disability, residuals of head injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus likely began during his active service and is related to noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, plantar fasciitis of the left and right feet, a lumbar spine disability, degenerative arthritis of the knees, were all denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired mental disorder and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 13, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions began during or are otherwise etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar disc disease with spinal stenosis, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to May 31, 2017. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for this period.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a sleep disorder due to the lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current ringing in his ears is related to noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is at least likely as not related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's right knee disability is at least likely as not related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's respiratory or nose condition is at least likely as not related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) is at least likely as not related to his active duty service.,PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a qualified VA clinician regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure during his active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to missing service treatment records and personnel records. The Veteran is required to provide information about his military occupational specialty (MOS) and any relevant medical treatment records.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and remands the case for further development.