Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for dermatophytosis pedis, head trauma with headaches, upper back injury, lower back injury, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The issues are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and remanded the issue of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 13, 2016. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether he was precluded from maintaining gainful occupation due to his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's right middle finger disorder and tinnitus are granted as service connected.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete delivery of documents and a hearing request. The Veteran is also required to undergo examinations for his acquired psychiatric conditions, PTSD, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ringing in ears (tinnitus) as there was no evidence showing that his tinnitus began during or within one year after service, and it is not related to acoustic trauma in service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence from a previous VA examination. The Veteran's representative requested a new examination as part of their Joint Motion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to in-service noise exposure. A new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and depression due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's osteoporosis of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine are both granted as service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, along with other disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from May 17, 2014. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate for this period.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a thyroid disability is denied. The claims of entitlement to service connection for OSA, neurological disability of the left lower extremity, and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his adjustment disorder and physical conditions like sleep apnea, headaches, joint pain, and neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 28, 2014 to June 6, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral tinea pedis and tinea unguium have been granted. The right knee disability claim is remanded for further action.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period prior to July 16, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appeal for DIC benefits is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. New evidence has reopened the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, but it remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder, left deltoid bursitis, left ulnar neuropathy, right hip, and left hip disabilities are granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is remanded, as is his claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was granted in March 2020. The issue of TDIU prior to February 21, 2020 is denied as the Veteran has maintained substantially gainful employment. The issue of TDIU from February 21, 2020 remains pending.