Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's alcohol use disorder is granted on a secondary basis.,An effective date prior to April 29, 2014, for the award of service connection for sinus headaches has been denied.,For the appellate period prior to November 3, 2016, an initial compensable rating for sinus headaches was denied.,Beginning November 3, 2016, a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for sinus headaches is granted.,An initial disability rating of 30 percent but no higher for left foot drop is granted.,For the entire period on appeal, an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral Morton's neuroma and tinnitus are denied.,TDIU based solely on service-connected PDD is granted for the entire period on appeal.,Beginning November 3, 2016, SMC at the housebound rate is granted.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or post-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service due to noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service, while the claim for tinnitus is granted due to equipoise of evidence supporting its onset during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of chronic in-service symptoms or continuous post-service symptoms, and the current disabilities are not related to military noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for tinnitus and has determined that he is entitled to service connection for this condition. The evidence shows that the Veteran was exposed to hazardous noise during military service, which is considered a direct basis for establishing service connection.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted. The back, left knee, and tinnitus service connection claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the cases of an acquired psychiatric disorder, lung cancer, and the cause of death. The issues related to these claims are now pending again with the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tuberculosis chorioretinitis with left paracentral scotoma, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 25, 2003. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service. The Board has also remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current tinnitus to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the case for further development regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. The VA is instructed to obtain authorization and request relevant private treatment records from the Veteran's former employment with the Bureau of Prisons and his current primary physician. Additionally, the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to identify any current disabilities and determine if they are related to his military service or his service-connected left hip tendonitis and left thigh limitations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a low spine disability. The evidence supports the conclusion that these conditions are related to noise exposure during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for right elbow disability and Bell's palsy. The decision on tinnitus is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure leading to current tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for essential tremors and TDIU prior to April 17, 2019. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU from April 17, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected foot and knee disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU effective May 11, 2016.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for tinnitus, ear drum pressure, and high blood pressure (hypertension) before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for tinnitus and the reduction of his rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective July 11, 2018. The Board has dismissed these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The decision is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the tinnitus claim.