Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 60% from December 9, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right foot disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning June 6, 2011, based on the combined effects of his service-connected coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinion and non-compliance with previous remands.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of noise exposure during service and the conditions did not manifest within one year post-service. The Board denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and low back arthralgia, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these conditions being related to his military service. The claim for bilateral knee disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. The evidence did not show a nexus between in-service noise exposure and the development of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing impairment, and peripheral neuropathies, render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and ischemic heart disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus should be remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) are all granted. The right ear hearing loss is not service-connected due to pre-existing condition noted at entry into service, but aggravation during service is considered. Tinnitus and the psychiatric disabilities have been found to be related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical spine disability. The claim for right knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence. Service connection was denied for left shoulder disability.

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 criteria for presumptive service connection were not met.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability picture prevents him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability have been reopened. The claim for tinnitus is granted as the evidence now shows a link to service, while the hearing loss claim remains pending due to lack of recent VA examination.

Service connection for tinnitus is dismissed.,Service connection for sciatica as secondary to lumbosacral strain is denied.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, has been reopened.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from August 23, 2012 to August 11, 2020 and schedular TDIU from August 12, 2020 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The appeal of the claim seeking service connection for bilateral eye disorder, asthma, COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been dismissed.,The appeals of the claims seeking service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, OSA, and diabetes mellitus have been remanded.