Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 5, 1978 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a finding of clear and unmistakable error in the November 1979 decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to a lack of audiometric data conversion and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions began during service and have continued since then.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from June 13, 2010. The reduction in rating for bilateral cataracts was remanded due to inadequate SOC addressing its propriety. The compensable rating for bilateral cataracts is also remanded as the criteria were revised effective May 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development due to incomplete VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further development regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) because the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone would preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 3, 2017.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's left eye disorder is denied as not related to service or a current disability. Other issues such as eczema, respiratory disorders, psychiatric conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disorders are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation at all times during the appeal period, leading to a TDIU from August 31, 2010 to March 1, 2018. The Board has remanded his claim for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin condition and tinnitus have been granted. The skin condition is related to active duty, while the tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to in-service acoustic trauma. The Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss was found to be aggravated by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as his disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU. The Veteran was also found to have dementia that is presumed due to diabetes mellitus, but this condition is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of chronic tinnitus in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology was not established.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to herbicide agents remains pending. The Board will verify his location during this time and determine if he served within twelve nautical miles off the shores of Vietnam.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II and cataracts as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II are both remanded due to the pending determination on his herbicide exposure claim.,No rating has been assigned, and no effective date is provided.

The Veteran's claims for lipomas, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and any acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran should be provided with new VA examinations to determine the current severity and manifestations of his lipomas, as well as the nature and etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and any acquired psychiatric disorder.