Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his TDIU claim and bilateral hearing loss rating were both denied. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 100% combined disability rating due to service-connected coronary artery disease, but the Board found that he did not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on any single service-connected condition other than his coronary artery disease. His bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's PTSD prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 20, 2016. Since July 28, 2015, the Veteran has been granted TDIU compensation based solely on his PTSD and had a separate disability rated as 60 percent disabling, qualifying for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and addressing all theories of entitlement, including secondary service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and remanded his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he has been rated at 100% for his service-connected disabilities and does not have additional disabilities separately rated at 60% or more.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus may be related to exposure to jet fuel during service, but more evidence is needed to determine this. The case is being sent back for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 23, 2018 for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus disabilities meet the criteria for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for Meniere's syndrome with hearing impairment and tinnitus is denied as there was no communication prior to February 6, 2012 that could be construed as a reopening of the previously denied claim or a new entitlement to benefits.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective July 18, 2019. The appeal as to an earlier effective date for tinnitus is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of unemployability solely due to these conditions.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective July 18, 2019. The appeal as to an earlier effective date for tinnitus is dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected as it began during his military service and continues to this day.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 3, 2017 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was denied. The Veteran also had his initial disability rating for tinnitus denied as it is already at its maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as the effective date should be June 26, 2020. The evidence does not show an earlier claim or entitlement to TDIU prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to his conceded in-service noise exposure. The Veteran was not able to attend scheduled VA examinations, but provided good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 25, 2012.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and rhinosinusitis, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), asthma, bronchitis, and a lung condition are all granted.,Service connection is also granted for right arm and shoulder disabilities and left knee disability.