Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and need for additional medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of initial disability rating for insomnia disorder prior to February 2, 2023 and from that date onwards.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the right knee disorder claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure history and medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 3, 2012. The Board has remanded the case for further development including referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to August 29, 2022.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as it may be secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted.,Service connection for left hip osteoarthritis (limitation of extension of the thigh), right hip osteoarthritis (limitation of extension of the thigh), left hip osteoarthritis (impairment of the thigh), left hip osteoarthritis (limitation of flexion of the thigh), and right hip osteoarthritis (impairment of the thigh) was granted, but with an effective date of December 5, 2015.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether the Veteran is entitled to TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.,The Board also denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.

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

Service connection for a chronic kidney disability is denied as the Veteran's current condition is not related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of chronicity within one year post-service and no relationship to service.

The issue of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and tinnitus are being remanded for further evaluation.,Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a link to service.,Service connection for lower back disability is denied due to lack of current diagnosis and no in-service injury or condition.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension and a higher rating for tinnitus are both denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101, as his blood pressure readings consistently showed diastolic pressure below 100 and systolic pressure below 160. For tinnitus, the maximum schedular allowance of 10 percent is assigned under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted with an effective date of September 20, 2013. The Veteran also receives Special Monthly Compensation at the housebound rate as of October 17, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and right knee strain with traumatic arthritis associated with residuals of right ankle fracture, make it unlikely that he is able to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.