Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for tinnitus and hypertension, as well as the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran withdrew these appeals in December 2022.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was rendered unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities for the appellate period prior to March 7, 2022. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative joint diseases of various joints, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination. The Board requests an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist to address the Veteran's exposure during military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant is remanded due to the need for further examination of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to in-service noise exposure and supporting a continuity of symptomatology since service discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus had its onset during active duty service and resolving all doubts in his favor.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for back disability, dental disability for compensation purposes, tinnitus (secondary to headaches and status post cerebral concussion), higher ratings for headaches and status post cerebral concussion, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities has been remanded. The VA is required to obtain additional treatment records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for a 10% rating for right knee osteophytes and service connection for right foot drop, allergic rhinitis, and tinnitus. The effective date is set at February 25, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD has been granted, with the effective date being October 23, 2015. The Veteran also received service connection for sleep apnea and his right ear hearing loss was granted on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The right-hand little and ring finger fractures are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria and there is insufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable due to these conditions. The decision also notes that the Veteran does not have any physical limitations preventing him from working.

The Board has found the VA examiner's opinions inadequate and remanded for new etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims. The claims are related as they both involve noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the November 2018 VA examination, lack of consideration of relevant lay evidence, and potential outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, and gout. The effective dates for these decisions are not specified as they are pending further review.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for left shoulder, bilateral foot, neck, right knee, and left knee conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, right ankle disorder, and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Service connection for the left knee disability and bilateral high frequency hearing loss was initially granted in March 1997 with an effective date of December 30, 1996. The Veteran's appeal to increase these effective dates is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for hemorrhoids. The decision is based on the evidence being in approximate balance regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus was caused by noise exposure during service, while there is no evidence of hemorrhoids during service.