Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for heat exhaustion, musculoskeletal mid/lower back (thoracolumbar spine), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss because it was untimely. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's report of in-service onset and continuity is credible.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for acid reflux, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, residuals of left ankle fracture, and urinary incontinence secondary to a psychiatric disorder. The other claims remain denied as new evidence does not relate to these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus likely began during his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability due to in-service noise exposure. The VA examiners provided opinions against the claim based on the lack of significant threshold shifts between enlistment and separation audiograms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis and limitation of extension of the left and right knee is not warranted.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss that meets VA criteria. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as the evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 10, 2001 for the award of a TDIU and established basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Veteran's tic condition is granted a maximum 30 percent rating effective June 24, 2019. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 1, 2015 for the grant of a TDIU and basic eligibility to DEA benefits. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder strain, right knee arthritis, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 11, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his bilateral eye disability claim. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board dismissed the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and denied the claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and various other conditions. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development of records and for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and tinnitus, have resulted in a combined rating of 80 percent since June 21, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU beginning on that date, but also found the evidence insufficient to grant extraschedular TDIU prior to June 21, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and tinnitus, finding no current diagnosed disabilities that were incurred in or due to his time in service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus from October 2, 2013 is denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the issue of rating a left great toe hallux rigidus.