Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral foot disorders and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is instructed to obtain new medical opinions that address whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied due to his current employment. The Veteran's restrictive lung disease and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, and referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted as his educational and occupational experience have not rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether TDIU should be granted on an extraschedular basis, as the Court found that the Board did not adequately address the Veteran's claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's heart disability, tinnitus, and stroke have been rated at 10% each. The Board has determined that the cumulative effect of these conditions does not render him unemployable for the period prior to February 14, 2017.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that they render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as new and material evidence was received. However, the claim of service connection for both conditions remains denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, colon cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and various cold injury residuals are denied. The claim for chronic obstructive airway disease is also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Issues related to bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent, effective September 20, 2016. Service connection for bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbar spine disability are also granted.

The Board has granted effective dates of October 9, 2009 for the grant of service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's claim filed at a mandatory Department of Defense Yellow Ribbon event in September 2009.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no prior claim filed within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has continued since, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined evaluation of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a low back disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain VA audiological testing results, clarify the etiology of any current low back disorders, and determine if there is a relationship between the claimed conditions and in-service events.