Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a left foot injury with burns. Service connection is granted for tinnitus. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, thoraco-lumbar spine disability, and headaches/migraines are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional relevant VA treatment records being received after the February 2020 Statement of the Case. The AOJ is required to consider this new evidence in its first instance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus and left ear hearing loss were denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent prior to December 16, 2016 for PTSD (to include substance abuse) was also denied.,No effective date was granted as the appeal period began on November 8, 2007.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), epilepsy, and a neck disability due to his withdrawal at the July 2023 hearing. The Veteran's asthma was found to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for these conditions.,Service connection has been granted for hypertension, with the onset likely during active duty. The Veteran's psychiatric condition remains under consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from December 1, 2017 to January 24, 2023.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied in January 2020, and no new claims were received until December 30, 2021. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at December 30, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date determinations are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is related to a head injury during service and not clearly and unmistakably preexisting.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was received on November 12, 2021. The Board found no prior communication from the Veteran that reasonably could be interpreted as a request for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and reasoning.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Respiratory conditions due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and balance issues secondary to hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for headaches, which may be related to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for a disorder claimed as asbestosis is dismissed due to the AOJ deferring adjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, low back pain, and lower extremity neuropathy are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The appeal pertaining to the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed.,The appeals for ratings in excess of 40 and 60 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II with associated erectile dysfunction and diabetic nephropathy are denied.,The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus and major depressive disorder due to military sexual trauma are granted as service-connected. The decision for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to May 19, 2022.