Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, back disability, and tinnitus. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's current neck disability, back disability, and tinnitus. The Board found that these conditions are related to in-service injuries or exposures.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headache, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to potential new evidence not previously considered. The Veteran's claim for migraine headache will be addressed further.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus, finding no claim was submitted prior to November 21, 2015. The Veteran's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the decision was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to December 16, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied because the evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity. His TDIU claim is also being referred to the Director, Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran experienced continuous tinnitus since service and resolving any doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss are granted as service-connected. The hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

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 Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of these conditions, and given his in-service noise exposure, the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and neck pain due to inconsistencies in his statements regarding when these conditions began. A VA examination is required to determine the current etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as caused by and aggravated by service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's statements indicating that his MDD symptoms are exacerbated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, despite functional impairments.

The Veteran's tinnitus and flat feet, migraine headaches, and bilateral leg disability (shin splints) claims have been granted. The Veteran's TBI claim has been denied. His service-connected penile condition with a stinging sensation is not considered separately for service connection as it is already covered under the ED rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's current symptoms of hearing loss and tinnitus were related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. However, due to new evidence of worsening right ear hearing loss, the case is being remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as he is currently employed.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.