Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a left eardrum injury and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service. The Board also denied entitlement to TDIU as there is no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a significant threshold shift or aggravation during active service.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, insomnia disorder, right ankle and knee disorders, and hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of February 11, 2021. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to determine his unemployability prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not substantially contribute to his overall vocational impairment, and he has overcome any impairment of employment due to his extensive work history and education.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, back disability, calcification of the wrists, and left thigh disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and to conduct further research regarding his claimed in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records, lack of a nexus opinion, and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection of left lateral condyle epicondylitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder and mood disorder are also granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that they are causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted, but effective dates earlier than August 12, 2014 are denied. The Veteran also had their claims to reopen service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began in service or are related to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and inguinal hernia due to incomplete records and lack of a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for short-term memory loss, right hip disability, left hip disability, and left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus, type II are also remanded as VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the earliest allowed effective date is January 15, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, low back disability, respiratory condition, sleep apnea, bilateral plantar fasciitis, migraines, and bilateral shin splints are all remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted beginning on October 5, 2010, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (posttraumatic stress disorder) due to a lack of VA medical examinations or opinions. The Veteran is also requested to provide authorization for release of any relevant medical records from correctional facilities.

The Veteran's TDIU for the period July 15, 2010, forward was granted effective June 28, 2022. The AOJ then adjusted the effective date to June 26, 2019, and finally to July 15, 2010. No additional benefits are available as SMC has been granted for other disabilities.