Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to COPD and bronchitis, finding that these conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his death. The Board also found no evidence suggesting that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is rated at 40 percent, effective October 8, 2015. Prior to January 23, 2016, the Veteran was not entitled to a TDIU due to his employment status. Effective January 23, 2016, he is now entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for left shoulder condition, asthma, tinnitus, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding asbestos exposure during service, and for a medical opinion on the etiology of any respiratory disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions, particularly his chronic kidney disease, contributed substantially or materially to his death from intestinal perforation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as his combined rating is only 40% and the functional impact of his conditions does not warrant a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as he is currently employed and his combined rating is at least 70%.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient discussion of service treatment records and the need for a new VA opinion regarding the etiology of tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The rating for cervical intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and the service connection for sleep apnea are both remanded due to missing medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service, including his tinnitus. The effective date of service connection will also be determined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inextricably intertwined issues, including inconsistencies in the onset dates of his tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion regarding service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran contends his tinnitus is related to noise exposure during active duty, but the VA examiner's opinion was deemed insufficient.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos in service.,Service connection for a cardiovascular disorder is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records, unclear evidence from a previous examination, and new pertinent records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of VA examination records, which are necessary to determine if there is a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, MDD, ischemic heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, recurrent constipation, and recurrent hemorrhoids, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since March 7, 2018. The Board found the evidence at least approximately balanced and thus grants TDIU from that date.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.