Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in total unemployability, as he has not provided specific information about his employment history and income levels.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of February 17, 2017. However, the actual effective date is set at February 14, 2021 due to a supplemental claim for hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and tinnitus have been granted as they are found to be related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection. The Board finds that the Veteran has credible statements of continuity of symptoms since service.,The Veteran's bilateral eye disorder and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for PTSD, erectile dysfunction (secondary to a service-connected disability), and an acquired psychiatric disability remain pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a brain cyst and tinnitus, finding that the most persuasive evidence did not support an etiological relationship to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, and a higher rating for tinnitus have all been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right hip condition is denied as not related to active duty.,A noncompensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis prior to January 23, 2023, is denied.,A 10 percent disability rating for allergic rhinitis since January 23, 2023, is granted.,The Veteran's sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma. As a result, the Veteran's claims have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that may relate to his tinnitus and its onset.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The VA examiner's opinion was not supported by an adequate rationale, particularly regarding the Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and right eye injury residuals.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to their death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of tinnitus due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected Meniere's Disease.,Service connection for migraine headaches is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinion and potential association with a service-connected disability.,Service connection for supraventricular tachycardia (claimed as chest pain) is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinion and lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment records.,Service connection for bladder incontinence is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinion and potential association with a service-connected disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinion and lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment records.,Service connection for ischemic stroke is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the claim is remanded to obtain an examination and opinion regarding its onset during service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for tinnitus due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal. The right shoulder disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and tinnitus have been dismissed as the new evidence submitted did not meet the criteria to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied, as the maximum schedular rating is already assigned.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. The Board found that the Veteran has current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and it is related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to assess the Veteran's employability prior to May 7, 2019, considering his service-connected disabilities and past limitations.