Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims. The issues include ratings for various conditions, effective dates for service connection awards, and the reduction of a rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum 10 percent level.,The Veteran's diabetes was rated at 20 percent prior to June 22, 2016 and 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities were each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had in-service noise exposure which may be related to his current hearing loss, and credible lay testimony supported a finding of service connection for both hearing loss and tinnitus. However, there was no evidence linking the low back disability to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and chronic allergic conjunctivitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being needed, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected because it began during or immediately after his military service and he was exposed to noise in the line of duty.

The VA is required to recoup the Veteran's special separation benefits (SSB) from his VA disability compensation, as mandated by law. The SSB was $39,853.44 and after taxes, the net amount was $31,882.76. The Veteran has service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus which are separately rated 10% disabling since February 4, 2016. The VA is required to recoup the SSB from his disability compensation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The respiratory condition, lumbar spine condition, right leg condition, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, and headaches are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues, including service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after this issue is resolved.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus was dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his August 2018 hearing. His claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective April 15, 2015 due to his service-connected coronary artery disease and tinnitus. The decision also indicates that the Veteran's employment background was as a mechanic, limiting his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were previously denied in June 2014. The effective date of the grant of service connection is August 3, 2016, when the Veteran filed a claim to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence in support of these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to exposure to acoustic trauma during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left-hand disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a causal relationship to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unemployable due to his inability to hear conversations, particularly on the telephone. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as reasonable doubt must be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional audiological evaluations to determine his current symptoms, level of severity, and functional impairment associated with his hearing loss. The rating for tinnitus remains denied as it is currently at the highest compensable level.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions alone did not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to September 11, 2012.