Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded several issues including the initial rating for right ear hearing loss, service connection for left and right ears' hearing loss, tinnitus, and TDIU. The Veteran's dental condition claim was previously denied due to lack of evidence of trauma or disease other than caries during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record, specifically regarding an addendum opinion from a VA otolaryngologist.

The Veteran's effective date for additional compensation benefits for her dependent child is granted as of June 30, 2013. The decision was made based on the information provided in January and September 2016, which was within one year of the December 2015 rating decision granting service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a TDIU and DEA benefits prior to March 1, 2011, finding that he was gainfully employed as a truck driver during this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Veteran has a current degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, tinnitus, and depressive disorder that are related to his active service.,The Veteran is entitled to an increased evaluation for right knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral syndrome, right knee lateral instability, and left knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire period on appeal. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a compensable degree of tinnitus within one year after discharge. The Board also found that continuity of symptomatology leading to a diagnosis of tinnitus is not shown.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right knee disability and other musculoskeletal issues, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 19, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and vertigo have been granted.,Tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to in-service noise exposure, while vertigo is linked to the Veteran's reported history of hazing during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's MOS as an infantryman exposed him to loud noises during service and his tinnitus likely began in service. The decision is based on direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that his service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for unspecified depressive disorder has been granted, with the highest possible rating of 70 percent effective October 7, 2020.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The lumbar spine, left leg, and right leg disabilities are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and opinion as the current evidence is insufficient to make a determination.

The Veteran's lung disorder, diagnosed as bronchial asthma, is granted service connection. The Veteran contends that he had pre-existing asthma prior to service and the evidence shows an increase in severity during service.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on the Veteran's contention of acoustic trauma during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied as the earliest possible effective date is May 31, 2013 due to the lack of service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during his military service, which is sufficient to establish a link between his current disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) and his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA etiological opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.