Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's initial increased disability ratings for tinnitus, right knee strain, and left ankle neuropathy were denied. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and marijuana use was also denied an increase in rating.,Issues related to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) as his combined schedular rating of 100% rendered the TDIU appeal moot. The Board also dismissed other issues related to increased ratings for PTSD, Crohn's Disease, and associated conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of continuity of symptoms since discharge from service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability, standing alone, prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of October 11, 2017.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease is rated at 100 percent, effective June 8, 2020.,Latent tuberculosis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for major depressive disorder was granted, and he is now entitled to a disability rating. The effective date for this grant is not specified.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's PFB appeal is remanded due to the addition of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and opinion due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability prior to February 13, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. On or after February 13, 2015, the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and medical literature, as well as new arguments submitted by his representative.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation during the period on appeal.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and related conditions, which have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has also determined that SMC is not warranted based on housebound status.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and because they are inextricably intertwined with another issue. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and tinnitus will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's hearing loss rating is being reviewed, and he must request an increased tinnitus rating on the appropriate form.

The Board dismissed the claims for tinnitus and a nasal or nose condition as they were not appealed. The claim for bilateral flat feet is remanded due to incomplete records and need for an opinion on whether the condition was aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not begin during his active duty service and are not otherwise etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied, and the sleep apnea claim is remanded for further development.