Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (claimed as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder). The decision on tinnitus is due to lack of evidence linking it to service. For OSA, a new medical opinion is needed to determine if it was caused or aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is reopened, but the effective date earlier than March 18, 2014 is denied.,The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for right knee internal derangement and degenerative joint disease, scar, status post right medial meniscectomy, painful right knee scar, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and degenerative disc disease mild and facet arthropathy, mild L4-5, L5-S1 are all denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to an inadequate VA examination that failed to consider the Veteran's reports of in-service hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being returned for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to their opt-in into the modernized review system.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for eye disability, neck disability, bilateral ankle disability, and fibromyalgia are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to outstanding private medical records not being obtained, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for a compensable disability rating for hypertension and reopening of the lumbar spine disability claim have been remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding the service connection for bilateral cataract, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, allergic rhinosinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and delusional disorder.

The Veteran's cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine conditions are found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's right leg radiculopathy is also found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the issue of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The evidence does not support a finding that tinnitus began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as Social Security Administration disability benefits records.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied, and the case for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 16, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and occupational experience since April 26, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to February 27, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in many cases, or an in-service event that is related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, post-operative left knee injury, hemorrhoids, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disabilities preclude him from obtaining such employment.