Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 7, 2017. The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU on this basis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo are granted as service connected. The claim for bilateral toe disabilities is remanded due to outstanding VA medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. He is now entitled to a 60% disability rating for GERD with Barrett's esophagus and hiatal hernia.,Service connection for tinnitus was established based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure, and his current symptoms are considered at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating effective April 21, 2011 due to his service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds no basis for an increased rating or extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including tinnitus, PTSD, right wrist disability, and Bell's palsy, is remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions in the September 2021 VA opinion. The examiner is asked to address the Veteran's reports of hearing loss upon separation, at an October 1981 VA examination, as well as his documented in-service treatment for chronic otitis media and upper respiratory infections.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are attributable to his active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his education and professional experience are sufficient for him to obtain and maintain substantial employment despite his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss, low back disability, and tinnitus due to insufficient examination opinions addressing the Veteran's self-reported history of symptoms.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee meniscus tear and left carpal tunnel syndrome are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The right knee meniscus tear, hysterectomy residuals, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale in the VA opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and colon cancer are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's back condition, headache condition, and stroke are denied as not being related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of dental trauma, hypertension, and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Board has found the evidence in approximate balance regarding whether his bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, headaches, hypertension, visual disorder, skin disorder, and respiratory disorder are related to service. These issues remain remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his employment history and current mental health conditions do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.