Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to new evidence showing the impact of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on his employment, including falls and vertigo.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from October 30, 2017 to February 23, 2022 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection. The Veteran's assertions include noise exposure during service, but there are conflicting medical records and missing service records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for esophageal cancer due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of liver disorder, diabetes mellitus (DM), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, left lower extremity restless leg syndrome, and right lower extremity restless leg syndrome. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left and right foot conditions, bilateral shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims will be further developed to obtain legible service records and determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right hand (wrist) joint pain, and migraines have been granted service connection.,Service connection has also been granted for the Veteran's mental disorder claimed as PTSD, depression, and insomnia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment from October 9, 2012, to October 29, 2015.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and urethro-prostatitis due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he can perform the tasks required in sedentary employment considering his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities on an extra-schedular basis prior to July 7, 2020 is being remanded as the RO did not satisfy its duty to assist and there are outstanding development actions needed. The Board will consider whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined low back and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a right shoulder disability were granted effective June 26, 2017. The Board found that the earliest date on which service connection could be established was June 26, 2017, when the VA Regional Office received his notice of intent to file a claim for compensation.