Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 1, 1995 for the Veteran's entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). Effective this date, the Veteran is eligible for TDIU benefits due to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss for further evaluation due to inadequate previous opinions.

The appeals of the claims for right ear hearing loss, dental disability, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are dismissed due to lack of evidence or new information.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus do not show a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable prior to January 27, 2022. The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU based on a single service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hypertension (HTN), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a traumatic chest wall defect, status post closed pneumothorax, and hemorrhoids due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence showing he is helpless enough to require assistance from another person.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hypertrophy, memory disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability (chronic low back pain), chronic cervical strain, allergic rhinitis, gastrointestinal disabilities, colon diverticulosis, and degenerative joint diseases of multiple joints. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have continued since. Service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain (claimed as lower back injury) due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain (claimed as lower back injury). A new VA examination is needed to determine if his current condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ear tinnitus, residuals of broken clavicle, left, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete service treatment records and insufficient VA opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential issues with the adequacy of the September 2017 VA examination, particularly regarding the right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background during the period from December 23, 2011 to February 20, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to active service or any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to issues with substitution of the appellant as a claimant. The AOJ needs to determine if the appellant is a valid substituted claimant.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new evaluations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted, effective February 18, 2013. He is now receiving SMC at the housebound rate, effective October 16, 2013.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss and a respiratory disability (to include COPD) to be further evaluated due to insufficient evidence in previous VA examinations.