Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

Service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and tinnitus is granted. Service connection for Bell's Palsy on the left side of face was denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.,A TDIU rating is granted effective from December 28, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues due to outstanding VA treatment records, incomplete vocational rehabilitation folder, and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The claims for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), polyps of the digestive system, removal of the gallbladder, and vertigo are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (dysthymic disorder and depression) due to a lack of substantial compliance with its previous remand directives. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other 1151 claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination for hearing loss, and it is unclear whether the Veteran received proper notice of the scheduled exam. The issue of tinnitus as part of the hearing loss claim remains unresolved.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The appeal for sleep apnea has been rendered moot by the grant of service connection in a previous decision.,Initial disability ratings for left and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to lack of adequate medical examination addressing functional loss during flare-ups and repetitive use over time.,Service connection for residuals from nerve agent exposure is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability, secondary to service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities and acquired PTSD, is remanded due to lack of a medical opinion addressing causation or aggravation by service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for obesity (as an intermediate factor leading to back condition) is not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for right pinky boxer's fracture residuals, right hand scar, left ankle condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition have been granted.,Service connection has also been granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, and his bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis has been remanded due to the lack of a VA examination addressing his chest condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to readjudicate the claims, but a new VA medical opinion is needed for the issues of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to November 3, 2017 is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The issue will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was received on March 17, 2022. The Board found that the effective date cannot be earlier than March 14, 2022 as no formal or informal claims were submitted prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person to perform personal care functions of everyday living or to protect himself from hazards and dangerous incidents.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding their relationship to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus was dismissed. The appellant, who is the Veteran's sister, did not submit necessary documents to be substituted as claimant due to lack of pending claims or appeals at the time of death.

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance were granted effective June 27, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities of depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss as of this date.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, right fourth finger scar, and erectile dysfunction were denied as they are not supported by evidence of a claim prior to August 22, 2021.,The effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD, right fourth finger scar, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examinations in the past. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.