Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD has been granted, with a 70 percent disability rating effective from the date of the decision. Additionally, his claim for TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, but the RO has not readjudicated these claims since a January 2022 VA examination. The appeal must be remanded to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board dismissed the appeals for right hand and thumb, left foot, hernia, and ulcer disorders. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient consideration of potential symptomatology related to balance problems and dizziness, as well as a need for an opinion on whether these symptoms are related to service-connected disabilities. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for low back disability, tinnitus, and right wrist disability. The Board dismissed the appeals as a result.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and right shoulder condition have all been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right knee disability, and sleep apnea due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, vision, severe burn injury, ALS. Therefore, the claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her service-connected conditions alone do not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for right hip arthritis, tinnitus, COPD, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to outstanding medical records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the etiology of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's lay statements, service noise exposure, and audiometric findings are considered in the new examination.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal. The claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin condition, and hyperthyroidism are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete service records and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records, lay statements, and VA audiological examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on four of his claims: erectile dysfunction, pancreas disability, aphonia or slurred speech, and a psychiatric disability. The remaining three claims (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea) have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder and tinnitus has been granted. His PTSD with opioid use disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, effective March 15, 2022.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and shortness of breath have been reopened, but the claim of service connection for tinnitus has been denied. The initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.