Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and need for additional VA clinical records. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure during combat.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension (HTN), and a heart condition have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,There are no current diagnoses of tinnitus, OSA, HTN, or a heart condition in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and lumbar spine disorder, but has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical spine disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, MAC, psoriasis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding private treatment records and inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in service is presumed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for shortness of breath and tinnitus, as well as an increased rating for inactive TB inactive with benign granuloma with COPD symptoms, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus disability is related to an in-service event or injury.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent from June 8, 2012 to August 23, 2019. The Board has granted a TDIU effective March 29, 2019.,From March 29, 2019 to August 23, 2019, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded to obtain an assessment of the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability prior to March 18, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, as his unemployment is attributed to non-service connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is related to his in-service noise exposure and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that more evidence is needed to decide these cases.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis/sinusitis (claimed as allergies and allergy/sinusitis), and tinnitus are being remanded due to new evidence received since previous decisions.,The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea have been denied. The Board has also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for these conditions.,Additionally, several of the Veteran's existing disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus was granted. Service connection for PTSD was also granted. The reduction in ratings for knee instability and patellofemoral syndrome of the knees was found to be improper, and the prior 10% ratings were restored.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to anxiety disorder, hypertension, and other disabilities.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of VA examinations and requests for a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to outstanding treatment records from the Veteran's employment with a commercial airline (1977-1987) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (1987-2014).

The Board has decided to vacate the April 2023 decision denying service connection for tinnitus due to an intent to file a claim for hypertension within one year of receiving the intent to file. The tinnitus claim is inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim, so it will be remanded until both claims are adjudicated.