Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 3, 2018. The Board granted a TDIU based on this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss from December 3, 2015 to April 6, 2020 was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU prior to December 3, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.,The February 2023 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he had engaged in substantially gainful employment during the appeal period, and thus did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the hearing loss claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and continues, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to potential secondary service connection from his service-connected PTSD and possible toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) related to his military occupation as a fixed wing aviator. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient development of records, including VA treatment records from January 2016 and December 2019. The Veteran's representative also requested an opinion on whether his current hearing loss is related to in-service ENT issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus began during service and has continued since then.,The Veteran contends his left wrist disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran contends his right wrist disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran contends his thoracolumbar disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran contends his right shoulder disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran contends his TMJ disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all listed conditions prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the cases due to procedural issues and requests for a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right thumb/hand disorders, right elbow and ankle disabilities, left hip strain, neck disability, and left shoulder disability due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination report, lack of consideration of lay statements, and need for a new examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, left arm neuropathy, tinnitus, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional clarification on stressor events and verification of claimed incidents.,Service connection for PTSD is also being remanded as there were no attempts to verify the claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was restored from a 50% to a 70% disability rating, effective September 7, 2010. The TDIU claim for service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that there is no current disability of tinnitus, and the Veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.