Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination in November 2019. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his conceded in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the lowest possible level (10%) due to its nature as a service-connected condition, and no higher rating is available under VA regulations.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for additional development, including obtaining private audiogram records from the Veteran's post-service employment.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The case for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral foot disability, COPD, residuals of a broken nose, and residuals of partially missing left thumb due to lack of available service treatment records. The Veteran was exposed to noise during service but did not seek medical attention.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, left total knee replacement, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss due to inadequate examination reports and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to her service. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, render him unemployable. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met and grants the claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to a lack of VA examinations and records. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issues of hay fever and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in previous decisions, including not discussing favorable evidence such as a March 2009 Dr. N.O. assessment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss with tinnitus, including any residuals such as Meniere's disease causing dizziness.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is dismissed for sleep apnea. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee disability, neurological disabilities of both hands, and will be addressed in a future decision.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected, with the Board finding that these conditions began during his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence in the current record, particularly regarding the impact of tinnitus and hearing aids on employment.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim of residuals of a kidney contusion is remanded due to duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examinations in June 2019. The Veteran is required to provide a new examination with respect to his hearing loss, which includes consideration of in-service reports of hearing loss. For his tinnitus claim, an addendum opinion from the VA audiologist must be obtained considering the high probability of hazardous noise exposure during service and whether diabetes mellitus caused or aggravated his tinnitus.