Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and left foot degenerative arthritis are granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records need to be considered and a new supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) should be issued to address these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is presumed and his condition began during service. Service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss in that ear.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus was granted, but the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating or an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and headaches have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since October 14, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU effective as of that date.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to procedural issues with the Notice of Disagreement form.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, chronic sinusitis, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has also been granted as secondary to the service-connected bilateral hip stress fractures.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus is denied as the earliest effective date available has already been awarded.,The issue of an earlier effective date for adjustment disorder with depressed mood is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran and his attorney.,New and material evidence has been received, reopening the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee condition.,Service connection for right knee disability is remanded as VA examiner opinions are needed regarding the nature and etiology of the disability.,Service connection for left knee disability is remanded as VA examiner opinions are needed regarding the nature and etiology of the disability.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood is remanded due to a need for an updated assessment of the Veteran's condition.,Rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and related radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is remanded as VA examiner opinions are needed regarding the severity of these disabilities, including whether they manifest ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability caused or aggravated his tinnitus. The claim is now pending for further development and an appropriate opinion from a VA psychiatrist.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals, left periorbital injury is being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for a higher disability rating for his scar over the left eye and for an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for a detailed audit and review of the overpayment due to his incarceration periods, as well as consideration of his request for waiver.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to August 7, 2019, finding that the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right eustachian tube dysfunction and residuals of perforated tympanic membrane is remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of all related conditions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted as his tinnitus is etiologically related to noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, finding that his tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.,Service connection for actinic keratosis with chronic solar radiation damage was also granted, attributing the condition to sun exposure during deployment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to February 7, 2022, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.