Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, which has been rated at 100 percent since January 3, 2023, is the highest possible rating under VA regulations. The decision grants a 100 percent rating for his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (unspecified depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right wrist condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus) rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU award. For his sleep apnea claim, the Board has determined that a remand for further examination and opinion is necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of adequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, headaches, PTSD, excessive alcohol use, and muscle twitching due to additional evidence being added to the file.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including hypertension, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, TBI, and tinnitus. The effective date for hypertension was set at April 12, 2017.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.,Service connection is also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder, likely PTSD, as the Veteran's statements regarding onset are inconsistent with medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic periodontal disease, tinnitus, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy are all denied. The claim for left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is pending as it was not granted prior to February 23, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 1, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 16, 2019. As a result, the claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to July 2, 2014. The Board found that the evidence does not demonstrate he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are granted. The acquired psychiatric condition claim is remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial compensable rating for contact dermatitis, service connection for sleep apnea and a sleep disorder, and service connection for tinnitus due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's GERD, as the July 2021 VA examination is insufficient for adjudicative purposes.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it had its onset in service and has been continuous since discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbosacral degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, right elbow degenerative joint disease, and others, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective August 13, 2021.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the previous VA examinations were inadequate. The Veteran was remanded to provide addendum opinions addressing his lay statements and service treatment records regarding in-service noise exposure and symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection was reinstated due to a timely filed request for extension of time, and his claims are now considered granted.