Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings are being remanded due to procedural issues, need for additional examinations, and the need to address claims of entitlement to an effective date prior to August 15, 2013, for asthma on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevent him from establishing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus as the Veteran's current tinnitus was not shown to be related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 30, 2015, to January 10, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether he was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for tinnitus, bilateral knee disabilities, and a dental disability. The claim for service connection for a left elbow scar was reopened but denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical opinions to address the severity of his coronary artery disease prior to January 21, 2020. The Board will also consider whether a total disability rating based on individual unemployability should be granted from August 25, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 2, 2011 due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and opinion due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, headaches, and tinnitus are being remanded due to failure of the pre-decisional duty to assist.,The Board is unable to make a determination on these issues without additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.,The Veteran's CKD was not rated higher than 60 percent prior to July 19, 2019.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU or DEA effective date as of August 31, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise and grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss, pes planus of the left foot, and pes planus of the right foot due to their relationship with pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's spouse is not eligible for PCAFC benefits due to a lack of caregiver training and the failure to complete assessments within 90 days. The Board has remanded the case to ensure proper completion of these requirements.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits was inadequate, and thus remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding PTSD and tinnitus as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of hearing loss due to inconsistencies in audiometric test results and need for clarification on etiology.