Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and cirrhosis of the liver have been granted. The case is also REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cirrhosis of the liver.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not reopened, while his claim for an increased rating of coronary artery disease was granted but only up to a 10 percent disability rating prior to January 4, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since March 14, 2014.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied as not related to service.,The Veteran was found not to have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes, thus denying his claim for this condition.,The cause of the Veteran's death is remanded due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his active military service.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment throughout the entire period on appeal, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

Service connection is denied for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right and left upper extremity neurological disabilities (other than bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome), right and left lower extremity neurological disabilities, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.,The Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and rescheduling of his Board hearing.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for tinnitus as it is considered a full grant of the benefit sought. The issues of rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran and granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder (with TBI), chronic sinusitis, bilateral tinnitus, and allergic rhinitis, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have begun during his military service and is related to his MOS as a flight communications operator, which had a high probability of hazardous noise exposure. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus based on the continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have both been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment or that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the etiology of his hemorrhoids and erectile dysfunction, which are currently not service-connected. The tinnitus claim remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), diabetes, and both upper and lower extremity neuropathy are remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to herbicide agents and other chemicals.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining SSA records and VA audiometric test results. The lung disorder case is also being examined to determine its relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10% under Diagnostic Code 6260, which only allows a single evaluation for recurrent tinnitus. The Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded for further examination to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, high blood pressure, and headaches have been remanded. The effective dates for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and unspecified anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD and mental conditions) are denied due to lack of prior unadjudicated claims. The effective date for hearing loss is denied as it was received within one year after separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to additional development being required. The Veteran's tinnitus disability is currently under review.