Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's left knee strain is granted as service connection due to an in-service injury.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 24, 2015 and July 30, 2007. The appeals have been remanded for further development in several areas including service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; skin disabilities of the feet and ankles; OSA; an acquired psychiatric disorder; asthma rating; and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. Specifically, he needs updated VA treatment records, Workers' Compensation records, and a new examination to determine if his back condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and OSA due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear evidence.

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

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion regarding the service connection claim for a left ankle disorder. The decision on tinnitus remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his exposure to loud noises during active duty.

The Board has found that additional evidence was obtained after the issuance of previous statements of the case, and thus, a supplemental statement of the case must be issued.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to include as secondary to coronary artery disease (CAD), and tinnitus due to inadequate examination reports and procedural issues. A new VA examination is required for each issue.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection for accrued benefits purposes.,Service connection is granted for COPD to include as secondary to service-connected CAD, but hepatitis C is denied as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,A rating higher than 30 percent for CAD and a rating higher than 70 percent for depression are both denied.,An effective date earlier than March 17, 2011, for the grant of service connection for depression is denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was not related to a service-connected disability or to service in any other way.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for acne and granted it. The case of service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding noise exposure in-service. Service connection for hearing loss and lumbar spine disability are also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is remanded for further review.,The Veteran's sleep disorder claim is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no credible evidence of such conditions during or immediately following active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, hearing loss, and vertigo. The combined effect of these conditions renders him unable to obtain and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and a gunshot wound to the right knee, do not render him unemployable. The Board finds that he is capable of performing sedentary work such as clerical or office tasks.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they are not severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted. However, the claims for both conditions were denied as there is no evidence linking them to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also granted a rating of 50 percent for PTSD, but denied higher ratings for other conditions.