Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the evidence established a link between the disabilities and his military service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, sleep apnea, and knee problems, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since December 18, 2018. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy, hysterectomy scars, bladder disorder, and bowel disorder due to lack of evidence establishing a direct link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions in the October 2015 VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA rating criteria, and there are no symptoms or factors that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Tinnitus is found to have started during active service, while the evidence does not support a finding that hearing loss began in service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type 2, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension have been granted. These conditions are all secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's employment history is also requested.

The Veteran's tinnitus, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and skin cancer are all granted as they are presumed to be related to his service due to exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for retinopathy is remanded. The issue of whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by service is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. Additional medical opinions are needed, including consideration of delayed onset hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a groin injury, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish current disabilities or link these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; heart disease (IHD); vision impairment; low back disorder; and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, and a skin condition have been remanded due to the need for further development.,New evidence has not established service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2, Parkinson's disease, coronary artery disease, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction have been granted as due to exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran was found to have set foot in Vietnam during his service, which is presumed for purposes of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, and his bilateral hearing loss is denied for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to November 3, 2014 due to his service-connected right knee disability and other disabilities preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are met. However, the issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the functional impairment attributable to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.