Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypothyroidism have been assigned the maximum schedular ratings.,PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment prior to June 16, 2018 but not from that date.

The Veteran's meralgia paresthetica of the left lower extremity was rated as noncompensable from November 15, 2016. The Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted due to mild incomplete paralysis.,Two separate 10 percent ratings were granted for meralgia paresthetica of the left lower extremity anterior crural (femoral) and posterior tibial nerves from February 8, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI, headaches, vertigo, and tinnitus due to missing medical records and the need for VA examinations. The PACT Act is not applicable as the Veteran did not participate in toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the December 2015 private opinion. The case is now open for additional development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and an ear disorder other than bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.,There is no evidence of arthritis or any chronic condition in service, and there is insufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's tinnitus and service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new opinion that addresses the absence of post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for tinnitus because it was granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, dizziness, headaches (including migraines), and a neck disability due to potential issues with service connection evidence. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not show a relationship to service or noise exposure.

The Veteran's mood swings and depression are found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.,Tinnitus is found to have started during active service due to exposure to loud noise.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that there was no ascertainable increase in disability during the one-year period prior to her December 13, 2017, filing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, granted.,Service connection for a thyroid nodule is denied as the evidence does not support its onset or relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a lumbar spine disability, a skin disability, and a respiratory disability due to inadequate medical opinions and missing STRs. The VA is directed to obtain any outstanding records and provide additional medical opinions as needed.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

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

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions addressing audiometric threshold shifts during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his case file and a supplemental statement of the case not having been issued.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, sleep apnea, breathing disability, deviated septum, tinnitus, and hypertension have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ankle disability. The case is being remanded to determine the nature and etiology of any left knee disability.