Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to October 28, 2019 was denied as his combined service-connected disability rating did not meet the schedular percentage thresholds for a TDIU and there is no evidence showing he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension has been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of tinnitus due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus were granted effective September 16, 2013.,TDIU was also granted effective September 16, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and potential inextricably intertwined issues. The claims will be addressed again after additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The Board finds a new examination necessary for the remaining issues due to lack of current evidence and conflicting opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record. The VA will conduct a new examination and obtain etiological opinions regarding the onset and relationship of these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and need for clarification of duty status during a period of TDY.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset in service or manifest within one year after service discharge.,The Board also denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, concluding that there was no evidence of such a condition during service and no credible claim of continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and hearing loss/tinnitus disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a right leg disorder (snake bite), low back disorder, gout, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, major depressive disorder, and migraine headaches. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year of discharge, and the Veteran's assertions regarding secondary service connection were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 25, 2017.,The Veteran does not have a need for regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and related conditions, do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as there is insufficient evidence to substantiate that he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hernia disability, abdominal scar, fibromyalgia, acquired psychiatric disability (pending), left shoulder disability (pending), right shoulder disability (pending), left arm disability (pending), right arm disability (pending), left elbow disability (pending), right elbow disability (pending), disability of the small finger, left hand (pending), cervical spine disability (pending), left ankle disability (pending), right ankle disability (pending), left foot skin disability (pending), and right foot skin disability (pending) were not granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disability (pending), bilateral eye disability (pending), disability of the left eye cornea (pending), bilateral hearing loss disability (pending), tinnitus (pending), vertigo (pending), headaches (pending), and sleep apnea (pending) are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for depression, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his service-connected bilateral heel spurs.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, hearing loss, tinnitus, a lung condition due to asbestos exposure, and non-prostrating posttraumatic headaches. The cases are being remanded because the examinations conducted were not by specialists in psychiatry, neurology, or neurosurgery as required by VA policy for TBI claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran must undergo further examinations and provide additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded several issues related to his right ankle, cervical spine, left hip, left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, specifically addressing secondary and aggravation theories. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are believed to be contributing factors.