Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted and requires further review by the AOJ before a final decision can be made.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to restore VA disability compensation benefits for 16 days and reimburse $538.13 due to improper withholding of benefits in FY 2012. The issue regarding the withholding of benefits in FY 2013 is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely VA Form 9 was filed, thus reinstating his appeal on the underlying claims of service connection for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for tinnitus, leading to the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI has been rated at 70% since December 11, 2017. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient examination findings, particularly regarding the significance of pure tone threshold shifts throughout his active duty service. The RO is instructed to obtain additional VA treatment records and provide an addendum opinion from an appropriate examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being obtained since the last AOJ adjudication.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as increased ratings for left forearm limitation of flexion and extension. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence presented.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for various conditions and special monthly compensation (SMC) as the appellant requested withdrawal of these appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened and remanded. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim.,The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current disability level does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the right foot disability and fatty tumors of the back and stomach are found to be secondary to his service-connected right Achilles tendon rupture.,Service connection for a left chest disability is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea claims are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to noise in service, but the VA examiner did not consider this exposure when assessing the relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of audiometric evaluations within the last six years.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his period of active service.,The Veteran does not have a left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial 70 percent rating, effective from the date of his claim. Other service-connected conditions are also granted or remanded as specified.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is caused by his service-connected tinnitus and migraines. The claim will be reconsidered with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran was granted TDIU from April 20, 2020. The case is being remanded to consider entitlement to TDIU before that date.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia, as well as tinnitus. The rating for bronchial asthma was restored to 30 percent effective May 1, 2019.

Service connection has been granted for bipolar disorder, left hip impairment, right hip impairment, cervical spine injury, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, tinnitus, voiding dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction.,Effective dates have been assigned for service connection based on the filing of a VA 21-0966 Intent to File within one year of May 7, 2016.