Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, with a rating of 50%.,The Veteran's PTSD remains at 30%, as his appeal to increase the evaluation was not timely filed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU prior to April 4, 2017 due to insufficient evidence indicating whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for colitis is granted. The initial compensable rating for benign neoplasms of the skin, scars status post benign lipoma and nevi removals, and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to May 13, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to work during the specified time period. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, leading to the denial of a TDIU for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability has been rated at 10 percent since October 11, 2016. The Board denied an increased rating as the current single 10 percent evaluation is the maximum schedular evaluation permitted under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's upper gastrointestinal disorder, tinnitus, right foot neuritis, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted service connection based on exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia. The other claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD, diabetes, heart impairment, and prostate cancer due to lack of available service treatment records. The Veteran's arguments indicate these conditions may be related to in-service exposure to various chemicals, but further development is needed.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of plantar warts (claimed as HPV).,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of OSA.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of asthma.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of a back disorder.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of restless leg syndrome of the right leg.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of restless leg syndrome of the left leg.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of bilateral hearing loss.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left index finger limitation of range of motion with lacerated digital nerve is remanded.,An initial compensable rating for scar of the left index finger pad is remanded.,An initial compensable rating for allergic conjunctivitis is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus and a low back disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims at this time.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion. The current rating decision does not assign a specific disability rating or effective date.

The Veteran's initial rating for tinnitus is denied, and the cases of bilateral hearing loss and left middle finger disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need to be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle brace damaged his work shoes, but the clothing allowance cannot be granted because eligible articles of clothing were not affected. The claim is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right great toe arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no competent or credible evidence of a current disability or persistent or recurrent symptoms of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, have precluded him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since September 12, 2009. The Board grants an effective date of September 12, 2009 for the TDIU.