Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hypertensive heart disease, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, and the evidence indicates other employment opportunities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of tinnitus and the denial of service connection for right shoulder, right ankle, and right wrist disabilities are being remanded. The issue of TDIU prior to August 3, 2019 is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the period prior to September 16, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions have impacted his ability to work.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his dementia and subsequent death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Appellant's service connection claims, including tinnitus and PTSD. The character of discharge determination is also remanded. Other specific disabilities are also being reviewed for potential service connection.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities effective June 30, 2020. The combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus, headache disorder, right hip disability, and left hip disability are all granted as service-connected. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted a 40% rating, while left upper extremity radiculopathy received a 30% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-existing duty-to-assist error. The issues are whether the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability was aggravated by service, and whether his right ear hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities clearly and unmistakably did not preexist service or were not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are associated with his in-service noise exposure. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied an effective date prior to February 22, 2023, for the award of service connection for tinnitus as there was no earlier claim received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU as of August 8, 2022. His combined disability rating is at least 70 percent with at least one service-connected disorder rated at least 40 percent disabling.,For the period prior to August 8, 2022, there is sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran may be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not related to his military service.,There was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and the Veteran reported experiencing these conditions after discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board denied the TDIU claim as his combined disability rating was at least 70%.