Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as he has not provided the necessary information for VA to determine his employability status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and dysthymic disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 2011.

The Veteran's tinnitus is considered a chronic disease for VA compensation purposes and granted service connection based on continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric condition to include PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, dissociative disorder, and schizoaffective disorder due to unresolved medical opinions regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations. The issues will be reviewed again after further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica (now claimed as peripheral neuropathy). The most probative evidence did not show a link between these conditions and the Veteran's service.,The Board also found that there was no continuity of symptomatology related to arthritis of the low back since service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with a new examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes was denied in the February 2010 Board decision. New evidence received since then is not material to reopen this claim.,Right ear tinnitus was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest within a year after discharge, nor is there continuity of symptomatology or etiological link to service. The Veteran's current right ear tinnitus is rated at 10 percent disabling under DC 7122 for arthralgia or other pain, numbness, or cold sensitivity.,Frostbite residuals of the left and right hands have been rated at 10 percent since May 11, 2016. The Veteran's current condition includes arthralgia, numbness, and cold sensitivity with tissue loss from frostbite. A higher rating is not warranted as there are no additional symptoms such as nail abnormalities, color changes, locally impaired sensation, hyperhidrosis, or x-ray abnormalities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, and sebaceous cyst disorder was denied. The appeal for a higher rating for carpal tunnel syndrome prior to July 30, 2021, is granted with a 30 percent disability rating. The appeal for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are not currently under consideration due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is denied, but his DJD of both knees are granted. The appeal for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed as the claim was not about service connection at all.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for service connection of headaches and tinnitus, leading to the dismissal of these cases.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder and tinnitus, but granted TDIU based on the Veteran's major depressive disorder. The ratings for left knee extension and flexion were also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are granted service connection. However, the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss to a degree recognized as a disability.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, which preexisted his military service but was aggravated by it.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination reports from previous VA examinations. The case will be returned for a new examination and medical opinion.