Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to March 28, 2018 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU beginning November 2, 2020. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to November 2, 2020, on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for hearing loss. The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service and resolved all doubt in favor of the Veteran. For hearing loss, the Board determined there was no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence or incomplete evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not limit or prevent participation in the avocational interests of exercise, photography, and music. The Board denied the request for VR&E benefits to purchase a music keyboard, stationary and electric bicycles, and camera as part of his avocational activities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder. His right shoulder injury and low back injury are denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus due to new and material evidence. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded as a notice of disagreement was filed but no statement of the case has been issued.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is granted as service connection, with a finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or a result of noise exposure during military service.,The Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss in the left ear is found to have been aggravated by service, and service connection for this condition is granted. The Board notes an increase in severity during service but does not find clear and unmistakable evidence that it was due to natural progression.,Service connection for tinnitus as secondary to bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 30, 2009 to August 9, 2009.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral tinnitus, right upper extremity (RUE) carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and left upper extremity (LUE) CTS are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, left knee impairment, and right knee impairment is granted. The claims for left and right knee impairments are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and initial evaluations in several conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus and migraines have been granted service connection.,Service connection for migraines has also been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability of migraines that started in service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to service, but the VA examinations were inadequate. The Veteran needs to provide private treatment records and Army Reserves service treatment records. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation since March 31, 2011. Therefore, entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ankle degenerative arthritis have been granted service connection. The low back disability secondary to the left ankle is being remanded for further review.,Service connection has been established for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure, and for right ankle degenerative arthritis as a result of overuse secondary to his left ankle condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.