Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar spine disability, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 26, 2018. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began during service and has continued to the present.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining an etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's tinnitus. The remaining issues are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, left shoulder scar, and sinusitis due to outstanding records and a need for further examination. The Veteran will have an opportunity to present additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the effective dates are not specified.,Issues related to rating increases and earlier effective dates remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service. However, service connection for pulmonary embolism was denied as it is not considered an injury incurred during INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the PTSD receiving an initial disability rating of 70 percent from August 28, 2018 to December 29, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lymphoma was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The appeals for service connection for a low back disability, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has decided that additional evidence was submitted and requires further review by the AOJ, including consideration of all evidence since the December 2018 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, hypothyroidism, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, migraine headaches, back disability, left knee strain, right knee strain, right knee recurrent subluxation, left knee recurrent subluxation, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the earliest effective date is December 19, 2016.,The Veteran's claims for asthma, hypothyroidism, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, migraine headaches, back disability, left knee strain, right knee strain, right knee recurrent subluxation, left knee recurrent subluxation, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the earliest effective date is December 19, 2016.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection and a 30 percent disability rating, effective July 3, 2018.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was also granted with a 30 percent disability rating from July 3, 2018.

The Veteran's tinnitus and OSA are granted service connection. The issues of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and sleep disturbances related to these conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lower back disability is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's residuals of head injury, headaches, and insomnia are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a right eye corneal ulcer is granted but the claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for tinnitus and right knee disability. The decision on tinnitus is pending as it requires clarification of whether the Veteran was in active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The right knee disability claim is also pending due to a need for an addendum opinion addressing aggravation by service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional VA medical opinions are needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The issues have been remanded to obtain these opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and nature of the Veteran's conditions.