Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been presented, but the appeal is not granted as the claim remains pending. The issues of service connection for depression, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including panic disorder, major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder), tinnitus, left hallux valgus, and right shin splints are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new VA medical records that have not yet been addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 14, 2021. The case is now before the Board again for further appellate action.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension was granted on a presumptive basis related to herbicide agent exposure pursuant to the PACT Act.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and colon polyps were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or causation during service. Service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of April 26, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including acquired psychiatric disability, tinnitus, and hearing loss, did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 16, 2017. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due solely to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and GERD as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injury or disease.,The Board found no credible evidence of noise exposure leading to hearing loss and tinnitus, and noted inconsistent statements regarding onset. The Veteran's service records showed normal hearing at separation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has persisted since. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of tinnitus during service and its persistence thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CFS and ulcers have been dismissed. The claim of hearing loss disorder has been denied, as the evidence does not indicate a current disability under VA regulations. Tinnitus was also denied due to lack of in-service or post-service manifestation within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in the left upper extremity is now rated at 40%.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. However, his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (previously claimed as PTSD) has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and insomnia. The effective date for this grant of service connection is September 2, 2015.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is service connected, finding it was incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than February 26, 2018 for the grant of service connection for PTSD, IBS, a back disability, radiculopathy (sciatic) of the left lower extremity (LLE), and tinnitus are all denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The skin disability, variously claimed as contact dermatitis and neck rash, was denied. Other conditions were either not granted or remanded for further review.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and military service.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected psychiatric disability and multiple other disabilities rated at least 60 percent combined.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate rationale for the Veteran's tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, plantar fasciitis, bilateral pes planus, and degenerative arthritis of the feet based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.