Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his period of active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, both claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is likely caused or aggravated by medications for his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 4, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities did not begin during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are rated based on their severity, with the maximum rating for tinnitus being 10 percent. The Board has remanded cases regarding Meniere's disease (secondary to tinnitus) and TBI (secondary to PTSD with major depression).

Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as VA was required to withhold disability compensation benefits to offset a Federal Tort Claims Act settlement, and there is no legal remedy for hardship.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be at least as likely as not related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and PTSD with major depressive disorder, as well as her claim for a TDIU prior to January 14, 2020. The appeals are now pending before the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and right wrist disability, specifically whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's pleural plaques, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted a 100% disability rating. The claim for TDIU is dismissed as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities already meet this requirement. SMC based on aid and attendance has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and a respiratory disorder (asthma) as these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims but denied some, resulting in a mixed disposition. The Veteran's new evidence relates to the unestablished facts necessary for reopening these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are currently considered service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment during the period from September 22, 2009, to prior to December 16, 2017. Therefore, entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions provided in March 2023. Additional development is needed, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with the right shoulder receiving a 60% rating effective July 28, 2017.

The Veteran's right-sided hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The case for left-sided hearing loss, left foot condition, and right foot condition is remanded.

The Board has decided that a medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected tinnitus or psychiatric disability.