Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for breast cancer of the left breast (also claimed as invasive ductal carcinoma) has been granted. The application to reopen the previously denied claim for hypertension has been dismissed.,The applications to reopen the previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) claim is granted due to the combined disability rating of his service-connected conditions meeting the schedular requirements.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss may be related to service, but additional evidence is needed for a final decision.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional medical records need to be obtained, and further examinations are required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 27, 2016. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from February 4, 2015 to May 2, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his physical and mental abilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since July 18, 2014. Prior to that date, he was employed full-time and thus did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not due to his in-service exposure to loud noises.,Service connection was also denied for a bilateral hearing loss disability. The examiner found no evidence of noise-induced hearing loss at the time of separation from service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,From August 14, 2018, the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, chemical hypersensitivity, fatigue and soreness disorder, back disorder, skin disorder, memory loss disorder, skin cancers, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The claims are being returned for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's back disability is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic in-service condition and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities are denied due to lack of current diagnosis and no credible continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities are denied because the Veteran did not have any diagnosed foot or ankle conditions during service, and there is no evidence of aggravation in-service.,The Veteran's skin disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's headaches are denied due to lack of a chronic in-service condition and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's tinnitus is denied due to lack of a chronic in-service condition and no credible continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request. The TDIU claim prior to March 16, 2020 was denied because the Veteran had been employed full-time until he became disabled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an increased rating to 70 percent, but no higher. Service connection for a bilateral foot disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are also granted.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim until November 29, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as he has maintained and is capable of maintaining such employment throughout the appeal period.