Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran has withdrawn all claims on appeal, including those related to joint pains, bilateral hearing loss disability, TBI residuals, psoriasis, and other conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals as the Veteran's attorney requested withdrawal of all issues.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as moot due to his already receiving a combined rating of 60 percent or more from other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to ensure compliance with the duty to assist, as required. The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were not of such severity to render him unable to secure and follow substantial gainfully occupation, consistent with his occupational history and educational attainment prior to January 14, 2014. The Board denied the claim for a TDIU prior to January 24, 2014.

The appeals seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, hypertension, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, left hip disability, left quadricep disability, heart disability, and colon cancer have been dismissed.,The appeal seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including unspecified depressive disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, and headaches has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied. The effective date remains March 11, 2011 as it is based on the date of receipt of his petition to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to loud noises during active service, and his current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. However, his claims for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for bronchial asthma are denied.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of August 5, 2014 for the service connection of prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The reduction of the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to zero percent disabling, effective May 18, 2010, was proper. The appeal is denied.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to January 6, 2021, is granted.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions have significant impact on his ability to maintain employment and the evidence shows that he worked as a driver. The TDIU appeal for after January 6, 2021, is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and tinnitus. The claim for thyroid disorder was not addressed in this decision.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity neurological impairment results in the loss of use of both feet, qualifying him for SMC-L.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current opinions are inadequate. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for hearing loss and pseudofolliculitis barbae, hair loss, or keloids.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a back injury are remanded due to procedural issues.,Service connection is also remanded for the claim of service connection for a GI disorder including GERD and residuals of bowel obstruction.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status as they do not cause physical incapacity requiring care or assistance of another on a regular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus based on the evidence showing exposure to noise during active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The evidence showed that his back, knee, and tinnitus disabilities caused some limitation but were already contemplated by his current ratings.