Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues related to his son D.M. due to the Veteran's withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 26, 2016 for the grants of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome, tinnitus, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% disability rating for bilateral flat feet has also been denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and migraine headaches are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a claim for TDIU due to unresolved issues regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's dizziness is related to his service or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

For the period prior to October 15, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.,From October 15, 2018, the Veteran was rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with the Board finding that there is at least as likely as not that these conditions were incurred in service.,Service connection for both bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been established based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus and pulmonary emphysema is granted. The rating for coronary artery disease remains at 60 percent, but the case is remanded due to issues with the increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the cases of right shoulder pain/arthritis and hypertension due to lack of documentation in the service or post-service records.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inability to contact the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not attributable to his military service.,Both conditions were found to be directly related to service without any need for a presumption of exposure or secondary service connection.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.,The appeals concerning initial increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and major depressive disorder, GERD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, diabetes mellitus, type II, patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative changes in the right knee, residuals of left ankle injury, residuals of right ankle injury, post-operative chronic subacromial impingement with degenerative changes (right rotator cuff tear/impediment), tinnitus, and others, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 28, 2016. From July 28, 2016, the claim is dismissed as moot due to his combined disability rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral recurrent tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the current tinnitus arose in service, and resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee osteoarthritis. The case will be remanded to obtain new examinations and determine the etiology and severity of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset and relationship to service. Service connection for a neck disability and headaches is also remanded. Service connection for vertigo remains in dispute.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 17, 2020.