Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus was denied as the earliest possible effective date is October 15, 2018, when he initially filed for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 21, 2012. Effective November 21, 2012, the evidence shows that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's authorized representative withdrawing the appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for headaches was granted. The appeal as to TBI and PTSD issues is dismissed.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions, including bilateral eye disability, vertigo, depression, anxiety, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.,The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's in-service complaints or symptoms and his current disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, back injury, nerve damage, plantar fasciitis (also claimed as foot pain), chest pain, sleep apnea, a head injury, and anxiety due to an invalid Notice of Disagreement submitted in March 2019.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Meniere's disease, bilateral hearing loss as secondary to Meniere's disease, and tinnitus have all been granted. The conditions are considered presumptively related due to the Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, vertigo, bilateral knee weakness, and bilateral lower extremity blood vessel aneurisms are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches has been granted, but his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) secondary to headaches has been denied.

The Veteran's cause of death is attributed to chronic systolic (congestive) heart failure, nonrheumatic aortic (valve) stenosis, and unspecified atrial fibrillation. The Board has determined that the service connection for these conditions needs further clarification due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection effective May 23, 2017.,An initial 100 percent rating for PTSD is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for a left ankle disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

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

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating authorized under DC 6847. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met.,The Veteran's low back scars have been rated as non-compensable. The evidence does not show any disabling effects on the affected body parts and the scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7805 or DC 7802.,The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under DC 6260. The evidence does not show any unique or unusual symptoms not contemplated by the rating code.

The Veteran is seeking additional retroactive VA disability compensation benefits under the CRSC program for the period from December 2011 to April 2015, and he also wants to know if it was proper to withhold his VA disability compensation benefits due to a retired pay adjustment. The Board has ordered further action to review these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his unspecified depressive disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the combined effect of these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for tinnitus before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, chest pain, a back injury, nerve damage, a head injury, anxiety, headaches, and foot pain (plantar fasciitis) due to procedural errors in the appeal process.