Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted a TDIU prior to May 17, 2016 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluding him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus secondary to bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction secondary to hypertension. The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 6, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence to determine if his conditions are related to service. The VA will seek out his military personnel records and schedule him for a new audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a stroke, tinnitus, and hearing loss are not granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus, finding that the correct facts were before the adjudicator and no clear and unmistakable errors existed in the July 1971 or August 1976 rating decisions. The earliest evidence indicating intent to apply for VA benefits related to tinnitus was September 25, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II was reopened and granted. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's tinnitus is remanded for further development.,The Veteran's respiratory disability (asthma, bronchitis, bronchospastic disease) is remanded due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune. The psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression NOS, depressive disorder unspecified, anxiety NOS) is also remanded for a VA examination and opinion regarding service connection.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is remanded for a VA examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings did not meet the schedular requirements and there was insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are manifested by depression, anxiety, and past suicidal thoughts. The Board has determined that a 70 percent evaluation is warranted for the Veteran's PTSD.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted as the evidence is in equipoise with respect to whether it was caused by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since October 9, 2017.

The appeal for the increased rating claim for tinnitus has been dismissed. The appeals for service connection of bilateral foot disability, initial disability rating in excess 30 percent for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, and compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss are REMANDED.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a 100% rating effective September 19, 2016. He also received SMC based on deafness in both ears and TDIU prior to September 19, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and an initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims were remanded multiple times, but the RO granted service connection for a left ankle and left arm disability in April 2021.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's VA treatment records and private treatment records are to be obtained, and the claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether tinnitus is related to service, including noise exposure and treatment for impacted cerumen. The TDIU claim must be deferred pending resolution of the tinnitus issue.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, residuals of a left knee strain, and tinnitus due to conflicting medical opinions and insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding no evidence of a link between his current condition and military service.