Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to acoustic trauma during service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The application to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.,The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and other specified anxiety disorders.,Service connection is denied for bilateral pes planus (flat foot), left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations for his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left arm/shoulder conditions, and ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and dysthymia) due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain records from federal agencies and provide notice on personal assault stressors.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss for VA purposes and has granted service connection for tinnitus. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during service and is less likely than not caused by noise exposure in service.,For his sleep disorder, the VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not attributable to active duty service or any other service-connected disorder. However, obesity can contribute to obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to his refusal to communicate with the VA.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for TMJ disorder is remanded due to insufficient examination and the need for additional testing. The issues of secondary service connection for sleep apnea and tinnitus are also addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature of issues, including a possible referral for an extraschedular TDIU. The effective date for the TDIU must be determined based on when the increase in disability causing unemployability actually occurred.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of a VA examination and insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and upper torso scar have been granted service connection. The low back disorder, left knee disorder, and left foot/heel disorder are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military service. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for Parkinson's disease and sleep apnea.,Service connection for Parkinson's disease and sleep apnea are both remanded due to lack of evidence establishing a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain has been granted a rating of 10 percent, effective as of the date of the decision.,Service connection for tinnitus is established. The Board found that the Veteran's condition manifested during service and continues since then.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address secondary service connection claims and provide addendum opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The decision is based on medical opinions provided by a VA examiner and a private physician.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service-connected disabilities have not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 16, 2022 or entitlement to TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, insomnia, psoriasis, a low back disability, a right knee disability, and a respiratory disability.