Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and degenerative arthritis of the hands as there is no active appeal before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 1, 2021, for the painful right-hand scar was denied as there is no indication that he filed a claim prior to July 1, 2021. The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260 and cannot be increased.,The Veteran's service-connected right-hand shell fragment wound has been rated as 10 percent disabling since June 22, 2007. He was granted a higher rating of 50 percent for PTSD in July 2021.

The Board has denied readjudication of the Veteran's previously disallowed claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to a failure to make reasonable efforts to obtain VA treatment records or relevant federal or private treatment records, and provided an inadequate VA examination or opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is continuous since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions and a compensable rating have been dismissed due to his death.

Your appeals regarding bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals regarding service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and has continued since, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the appeal was erroneously docketed in the AMA system and is remanding the case for a statement of the case regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

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

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted. The Board also remanded several issues for further development, including the rating of his right knee and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of tinnitus and there is an in-service event, as he was exposed to hazardous noise during his active duty as an aircraft fueler. The Board resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran and grants service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, as his hearing thresholds do not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg neurological condition (right leg disability) is denied. There is no evidence of a current diagnosis related to a right leg neurological condition and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is remanded. The VA examiner found that the Veteran does not have a definitive diagnosis related to his right shoulder disability, and further examination is needed to determine if his pain in his right shoulder has caused a functional impairment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition is remanded. The January 2018 VA medical opinion found that the Veteran's in-service low back strain is unrelated to the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease, as strains do not cause degenerative disc disease (DDD).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection for tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hearing loss.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) and Total Disability Rating Based Upon Individual Unemployability due to Service-Connected Disabilities (TDIU).,The Veteran's last day of substantially gainful employment was May 11, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to this date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the appellant's unverified military service records. The AOJ is instructed to verify any service and provide the appellant with an opportunity to submit additional evidence supporting his claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to lack of continuity or chronicity since service. The Board also found no direct evidence linking the disabilities to service.