Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 27, 2016. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from February 4, 2015 to May 2, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his physical and mental abilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since July 18, 2014. Prior to that date, he was employed full-time and thus did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not due to his in-service exposure to loud noises.,Service connection was also denied for a bilateral hearing loss disability. The examiner found no evidence of noise-induced hearing loss at the time of separation from service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,From August 14, 2018, the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, chemical hypersensitivity, fatigue and soreness disorder, back disorder, skin disorder, memory loss disorder, skin cancers, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The claims are being returned for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's back disability is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic in-service condition and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities are denied due to lack of current diagnosis and no credible continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities are denied because the Veteran did not have any diagnosed foot or ankle conditions during service, and there is no evidence of aggravation in-service.,The Veteran's skin disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's headaches are denied due to lack of a chronic in-service condition and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's tinnitus is denied due to lack of a chronic in-service condition and no credible continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request. The TDIU claim prior to March 16, 2020 was denied because the Veteran had been employed full-time until he became disabled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an increased rating to 70 percent, but no higher. Service connection for a bilateral foot disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are also granted.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim until November 29, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as he has maintained and is capable of maintaining such employment throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records. The RO is required to obtain all relevant treatment records from the VA Medical Center in Orlando, Florida, between November 2011 and October 2017, and attempt to obtain Dr. R.'s treatment notes for his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance or special adaptive equipment due to his physical limitations and inability to use limbs effectively.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 1, 2011 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus as it is a residual of the Veteran's jaw surgery and related to his TMJ.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2; achalasia; high blood pressure; bilateral hearing loss; tinnitus; and vision disability were all denied as they are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension was denied in a previous decision, and no new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for COPD is denied as there is no link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss and right knee/lumbar/cervical spine disabilities were denied. The cases for the right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine are remanded.