Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and dismissed the claim for service connection for dental issues. The Board also remanded the case to obtain VA treatment records related to tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional examinations. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin disability (shingles), right shoulder disability, bilateral shin splints, and right elbow disability.

The Board has withdrawn the claims for earlier effective dates and a higher rating for tinnitus, as well as hearing loss. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for an examination to assess his current bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his active service.,The Veteran's bilateral hypertensive retinopathy is caused by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from May 18, 2016 is granted. The issue of TDIU prior to May 18, 2016 is remanded for further review by the Director of Compensation and Pension Services.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a TDIU on a schedular basis from November 20, 2020 due to new evidence received after the previous SSOC.

The Veteran's appeals for depression, feet problems (gout), and gastroesophageal reflux disease were dismissed. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the August 1992 rating decision. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disturbances, and fibromyalgia (claimed as weakened stability in upper and lower extremities and painful joints). The Veteran's claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was remanded.

The Board has decided the TDIU claim and remanded the service connection for cause of death. The TDIU is granted due to multiple service-connected disabilities rendering the Veteran unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Service connection for cause of death remains pending as additional development is needed, including obtaining a nexus opinion on whether gallbladder cancer was caused by exposures at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral knee disability are all granted. The Board found that the evidence supported these claims based on in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities.

The Board has determined that there have been issues with compliance regarding the remand directives for several of the Veteran's claims, and thus these matters are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examinations. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions that consider the Veteran's service exposure and any pre-existing conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appeal for service connection of headaches secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability is granted.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from September 25, 2005 to October 29, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was previously denied a TDIU prior to February 14, 2017 due to his employment history and the severity of his service-connected disabilities. From that date forward, he is granted a TDIU based on his PTSD alone.,From February 14, 2017 onwards, the Veteran's TDIU was granted as his PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Parkinsonism, and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from June 18, 2013 to January 3, 2017. As the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether he can secure such employment, his claim for TDIU in this period is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance due to additional VA examination reports and clinical documentation not yet reviewed by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss, hepatitis, hearing loss, and tinnitus has been reopened. The Board finds that the case is REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for tinnitus and a low back condition. The claim for tinnitus is granted, while the claim for a low back condition requires additional VA examination to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's left and right shin splints have been granted service connection, with a 10% evaluation.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. However, the increased evaluations for both shin splints and the knee disabilities are being remanded.