Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his authorized representative.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service. The claims for reopening of diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, and skin disability are remanded due to new evidence. Other service connection claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to evidence of worsening.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 30, 2010, for a 10 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain is dismissed as the appeal represents a freestanding claim and not a request to revise a final decision based on CUE.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 13, 2013, for service connection of radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is denied as the earliest date that it can be factually ascertained that radiculopathy was demonstrated is August 13, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded as there is no evidence of service connection prior to June 11, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating for tinnitus is remanded as there is no evidence of service connection prior to June 11, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hip disability is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to June 14, 2014. The Board has also remanded the issue of extraschedular TDIU due to the severity of his tinnitus.