Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss and TDIU is remanded due to the need for a more recent audiological examination, clarification of the January 2017 private audiometric report, and additional development related to employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the effective date prior to August 9, 2017 for hearing loss service connection and higher ratings for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for the Veteran's left ankle disability, right ear hearing loss, and Diabetes Mellitus type II.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and thyroid cancer due to incomplete personnel records from the Veteran's service in the Army National Guard.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral tinnitus, and noncompensable left ear hearing loss rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to June 10, 2013. The Board granted a TDIU rating based on the severity of his psychiatric disability throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's epididymitis with hydrocele has been granted a noncompensable rating.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied and final claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hernia, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of right thumb first metacarpophalangeal joint arthritis and bilateral tinnitus due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted effective dates of July 28, 2017 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's intent to file a claim submitted on that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and stomach ulcer, as well as his claim for a rating increase for his right hand disability. The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for these conditions based on in-service exposure or onset.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle arthritis, left ankle disability, and tinnitus have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for kidney stones remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate rationale in the VA examination opinion. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether the current conditions are at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder tendinopathy and partial thickness tear of the supraspinatus and biceps tendons with superior labral tear is granted. The other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and chronic headache disability are granted as service-connected due to in-service herbicide exposure.,Bladder cancer is denied as there is no evidence of the condition during or within one year after separation from active service. Peripheral neuropathy is also denied based on lack of evidence of onset during service or within a year post-separation.

Your appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted for service connection of tinnitus and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and these issues are being remanded for further review. Service connection is granted for left knee strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spondylolisthesis, adjustment disorder, left knee strain, tinnitus, and right elbow trauma, are found to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is due to her active-duty service, while her tinnitus is secondary to her service-connected hearing loss.