Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current tinnitus began during active duty and is related to in-service noise exposure. The decision also found new evidence submitted since the May 2023 rating decision supports this conclusion.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. The claim is denied.,Left knee disorder and right knee disorder are not shown to be related to military service. The claims are denied.,Low back disorder is not shown to be related to military service. The claim is denied.,Sleep apnea is not shown to be related to military service. The claim is denied.

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

The appeal for service connection for right ankle fracture is dismissed as the March 2020 rating decision granted this condition.,Service connection for hypertension has been granted, with evidence showing it began in service and was related to active duty.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain has been granted based on a VA examination's opinion that the Veteran's condition either occurred or is caused by service.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted due to credible reports of noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar disorder, dental disorders, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, insomnia, and anxiety), headaches, and dry eye syndrome.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of May 11, 2013 for the awards of service connection for various conditions including PTSD and major depressive disorder with TBI residuals, migraine headaches, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella, right knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, and scars of the bilateral knees, left calf (other impairment).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 8, 2010. Effective from that date, he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected.,Service connection for PTSD is remanded due to a procedural issue.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence being associated with the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or onset of symptoms.,Both conditions were determined to be not caused by or incurred during military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, headaches, PTSD, OSA with asthma, patellar tendinitis, left ankle strain, and tinnitus. The AOJ is instructed to review all relevant evidence and issue a SSOC.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, Meniere's disease, diabetes, tendonitis of the right wrist, mild osteoarthritis of the left knee, and mild osteoarthritis of the right knee, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to November 6, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective May 15, 2018. The Board found that the earlier effective date of January 30, 2018, is warranted due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and perianal abscess were remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee degenerative joint disease have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The lumbar spine disability claim is also pending.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the service connection claims related to bilateral knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and eye/vision disorders. The Board dismissed these issues as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss due to potential new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional medical opinions to address whether his hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disability, and right atrioventricular block are related to service. The issues remain inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 13, 2015 for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate this matter as the appellant is deceased.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied due to lack of evidence showing the condition existed during his military service. The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion.