Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, warranting referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including his right shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder, skeletal arthritis, and skin condition. The decision is based on the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of tinnitus was granted. His PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board remanded the issue of a higher rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss have been granted service connection. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded, as well as the rating in excess of 30 percent disabling for cardiovascular residuals (myocardial infarction).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from January 22, 2019 to April 2, 2021 is granted. The claims for increased ratings of left knee strain and instability are remanded.

The Veteran's early discharge due to pregnancy and her current service-connected tinnitus qualify her for future burial in a VA national cemetery.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's current symptoms are conceded, but a medical opinion is needed to determine if his hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted a TDIU as of May 10, 2021, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his lay testimony regarding the onset of tinnitus during service is credible and sufficient to establish a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and a TDIU is granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly those related to his right ankle disability.

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

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of January 17, 2013. The Board has remanded the issues regarding his character of discharge and service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and eye condition due to potential legal or factual complexities.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are considered service-connected, with the Board finding that his current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for hypertension is granted on a direct basis due to documented exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's peripheral artery disease is also found to be service-connected secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, Whipple's disease, a pancreatic condition, an autoimmune disease, and a gallbladder disorder are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need to consider service connection based on exposure to herbicides.,There is no evidence of service connection being sought in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus and TDIU prior to June 29, 2010 is being remanded due to the need for further development.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions in the March 2015 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, as there was no diagnosis of hearing loss during or within one year after separation from service. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss is less likely caused by military noise exposure.,Regarding tinnitus, the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it began during service and has persisted since then.