Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for further consideration, including a review of whether the effective date should be prior to May 15, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy, PTSD, diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, cervical sprain, tinnitus, right and left knee degenerative joint disease, pes planus, and left eardrum surgery residuals, preclude him from engaging in gainful employment consistent with his education and experience. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 90 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as damage to right eardrum causing hearing loss and tinnitus with entitlement to compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151, were denied because the submitted evidence was not new and relevant.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's lumbar sprain with degenerative disc disease prior to June 24, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter remains remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for addendum opinions regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is remanded for addendum opinions regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and right lower extremity are remanded for addendum opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the left lower extremity is remanded for addendum opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims of service connection for tinnitus, heart block, and an increased initial compensable rating for his service-connected heart murmur. The Board also granted service connection for right ankle strain and left ankle strain, but denied service connection for a left thumb disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected, with the exception that no rating or effective date is assigned.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are denied as the evidence does not show that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 27, 2011.,The Board found no entitlement to TDIU prior to May 27, 2011, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his ability to engage in activities such as painting and working on cars.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the hearing loss being due to noise exposure during active duty and ACDUTRA. Tinnitus is secondary to his now service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of December 16, 1987. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to her service, specifically in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the issues of service connection for breast cancer, fatigue, atypical chest pain, and menstrual disorder to be remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for headaches, which are claimed as secondary to service-connected tinnitus. Additional development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate VA audiological examinations and conflicting opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal of TDIU is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or on account of being housebound, due to additional development needed.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure compliance with the November 2020 Board remand, as the requested VA examination and medical opinion were not obtained. The claims for TBI, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the failure to obtain these examinations.

The appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic right groin problems, right big toe frostbite, left foot gout, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, tension headaches, and lumbar spine arthritis have been dismissed. The appeals for service connection of left knee disorder and right knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for neck pain has been reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence. The claims for neuropathy, right upper extremity, and tinnitus have been granted.,The Veteran's back and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination.