Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his CAD is denied, but he is granted TDIU.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and hypertension. Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service, as evidenced by his military records and testimony. His hypertension also began during service, supported by medical records showing treatment for high blood pressure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of chronic in-service tinnitus or a nexus to military noise exposure. The Veteran's tinnitus is not considered a presumptive disease under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are not related to service connection.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss manifested within one year of discharge, and his tinnitus is secondary to his hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 25, 2017. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities have been granted service connection with effective dates of June 27, 2013. Effective date for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has not been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The RO is instructed to obtain an adequate VA examination that addresses the Veteran's lay statements, considers shifts in acuity thresholds found in service records, and addresses in-service, post-service, occupational, and recreational hazardous noise exposure.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since his separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disability and tinnitus did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 22, 2016.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to February 11, 2022, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of clarification on whether his hearing loss is conductive, sensorineural, or mixed. The VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's hearing loss and submarine duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus was denied in a November 2004 rating decision. The effective date of the grants of service connection is set at December 11, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with concussion, irritable bowel syndrome, left shoulder strain, lumbar spondylosis, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and right knee strain, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since November 26, 2008. The Board has granted TDIU effective as of that date.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) from May 1, 2011. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin in service or within a presumptive period, and was not noted in service with continuity of symptomatology since service. The right-hand disability (claimed as arthritis), right shoulder disability, left hip disability, left arm disability (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome), sciatica of both legs, and dental deformity are remanded for further examination and opinion.