Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service.,Hereditary angioedema is determined to be due to in-service exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE).,Bilateral hearing loss is not considered as likely caused by in-service noise exposure, and the relationship with TCE exposure remains unclear.,Crohn's disease is found to be related to in-service exposure to TCE. The Veteran's bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax case requires further examination for a rating determination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The claims have been reopened, but further examination and evidence are needed to determine the nature and etiology of various disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is dismissed. The Board has remanded multiple issues including service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disorder, bilateral eye disorder, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), headache disorder, thyroid disorder, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The Veteran's hypertension appeal is also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for gastrointestinal, right wrist, and left wrist disabilities. The case should be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease, PTSD, and prostate cancer, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment from May 25, 2021 to October 21, 2021.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left ankle disability, and right knee disability are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a back disability is denied.

The Veteran is granted service connection for migraine headaches and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for parafalcine meningioma brain tumor and TBI.,Service connection is granted for migraine headaches and tinnitus, but the claims for parafalcine meningioma brain tumor and TBI are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound status is remanded due to insufficient explanation of functional impairments attributable solely to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran also has a nonservice-connected condition (Parkinson's disease) that affects his ability to perform daily activities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an earlier effective date for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's headache condition had its onset in service and has continued unabated since separation. The claim for service connection for a headache disability is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's tinnitus rating remains denied as it is at its maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the Board cannot make such a determination in the first instance due to their service-connected psychiatric disability. The case will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all remanded for further evaluation. The VA will obtain updated treatment records, schedule the Veteran for a new examination to assess his PTSD, and determine if his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and continues to this day, granting his claim for service connection.