Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus was dismissed because the claim has been fully granted with a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and tinnitus were denied. The effective date of August 30, 2013, is proper as the claim was received within one year of separation from service.,From October 1, 2015, a rating of 50 percent for migraines is granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for postoperative kidney stones and tinnitus have been denied as the current ratings are considered to be the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection for right foot pes planus and left foot pes planus, finding that the pre-existing conditions increased in severity during service. Service connection is also granted for back disability (arthritis), right wrist arthritis, left wrist arthritis, right ankle arthritis, left ankle arthritis, tinnitus, and bilateral ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with an effective date of August 15, 2018.,The Veteran's left herniated nucleus pulposus, L5-S1 has been remanded for further review due to the lack of a final decision prior to August 15, 2018.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of September 25, 2015. However, due to the remand for extra-schedular consideration, the case is now pending again with the possibility of a TDIU being granted on an extra-schedular basis prior to September 25, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 3, 2018. The Board granted a TDIU based on this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss from December 3, 2015 to April 6, 2020 was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU prior to December 3, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.,The February 2023 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he had engaged in substantially gainful employment during the appeal period, and thus did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the hearing loss claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and continues, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to potential secondary service connection from his service-connected PTSD and possible toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) related to his military occupation as a fixed wing aviator. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient development of records, including VA treatment records from January 2016 and December 2019. The Veteran's representative also requested an opinion on whether his current hearing loss is related to in-service ENT issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus began during service and has continued since then.,The Veteran contends his left wrist disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran contends his right wrist disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran contends his thoracolumbar disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran contends his right shoulder disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran contends his TMJ disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all listed conditions prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the cases due to procedural issues and requests for a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right thumb/hand disorders, right elbow and ankle disabilities, left hip strain, neck disability, and left shoulder disability due to additional development being required.