Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to November 15, 2022 due to his service-connected disabilities as they did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, PTSD, TBI residuals, uterine leiomyoma with hysterectomy, cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain, and tinnitus, prevented her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 29, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete STRs and other missing records. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus, but his claim remains pending on all other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. Service connection was also established for tinnitus, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and left ear hearing loss effective January 18, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected maxillary sinusitis, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 2020. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from September 1, 2020.

The Veteran's right ear disorder and other conditions were denied service connection, while some of his knee disabilities received separate evaluations.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision is based on the lack of a nexus between current mental health problems and service, while finding that exposure to noise during service supports service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional development and examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand disabilities remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability (claimed as arthritis) remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (claimed as arthritis) remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected right ankle strain remains pending.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to continuity of symptomatology since discharge.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not establish a nexus between in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the use of a cane or wheelchair as a normal mode of locomotion. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical examination. The appellant is seeking service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, amyloidosis, prostate cancer, Parkinson's disease, and cortico basal degeneration, all potentially related to in-service exposure to toxins.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and tinnitus have been granted. Effective dates prior to March 24, 2017, are not established.

The Veteran's appeals for right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and right arm disorders have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims.,The Veteran's appeal for testicular disorder has also been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claim.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including panic attacks, memory loss, anxiety), a low back disorder, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and continues to this day, resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

Service connection is denied for a right shoulder condition, back disability, ingrown toenails of the left and right feet, eye condition (refractive error), hearing loss, respiratory condition, digestive condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus and depression with anxiety.

Your appeals for service connection and an earlier effective date have been dismissed as you opted to use the modernized review system.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus does not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status or need for regular aid and attendance prior to December 14, 2019 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless that he required regular assistance.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, a back disability, a brain tumor, bilateral eye disorder, a right knee disability, tinnitus, and a headache disorder. The decision found that the Veteran's preexisting hearing loss did not increase in severity during service.