Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The left shoulder disability is remanded for further examination, the acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded with new stressors considered, and the sinus condition is remanded for clarification of diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment since September 1, 2017. Effective September 1, 2017, a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a cholecystectomy has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, PTSD due to MST, residuals of a broken nose, and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted effective July 18, 2014. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the claims of reopening service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability, a bilateral hand disability, and hepatitis C due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent evaluation throughout the appeal period, which is the maximum rating authorized for tinnitus under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.,The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and contends that his current hearing loss was caused by in-service exposure to excessive noise. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the current hearing loss disability is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted due to continuous post-service symptoms that can be attributed to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus should be remanded due to inconsistencies in the April 2018 VA examination report and contradictions in the Veteran's history regarding when his tinnitus started.

The appeal for service connection of tinnitus was dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so these issues are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision finds that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of adequate examinations and missing records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting statements regarding noise exposure in service. The Veteran must provide corroborating evidence of his post-service work not involving excessive noise.

The Board has denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, right fifth and fourth MCP disabilities, back disability, and tinnitus as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions manifested during service or are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee conditions, bilateral tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 28, 2015.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood that these conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not related to noise exposure experienced during his active service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.