Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability or in-service incurrence. Service connection is also denied for residuals of TBI, speech disorder, learning disorder, and balance problems due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle strain, tinnitus, and sleep apnea are all being remanded for further development.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of tinnitus was dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood it was caused by in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for tinnitus is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The VA examiner opined that tinnitus is a known symptom of hearing loss.,The Veteran's initial rating for CAD remains at 10 percent, with the Board noting that there is no evidence of left ventricular dysfunction or cardiac hypertrophy/dilatation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and restless leg syndrome were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating for tinnitus, but his sleep apnea remains at the 50% level. Other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The claims for low white blood count, left leg disorder, right leg disorder, residuals of ear surgery, and seizure disorder are withdrawn.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service herbicide agent exposure.,There is no evidence of a current disability of tinnitus. The Veteran has not submitted medical or lay evidence showing the existence of this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. Effective dates for PTSD, right shoulder (major) degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tendonitis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied as the claim was not filed within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's TDIU prior to September 1, 2020 is dismissed due to mootness.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, a left upper extremity disability, and tinnitus.,Service connection is also remanded for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current tinnitus is related to in-service hazardous noise exposure and acoustic trauma.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral recurrent tinnitus and an unspecified rib condition due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy with CTS of the upper extremities and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 17, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's death was not service-connected due to the cause being unrelated to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 25, 2007, and no earlier for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment as of that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including acoustic trauma incurred during service in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions had their onset during his military service due to acoustic trauma.