Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a combined disability rating higher than 60 percent, citing satisfaction with the current 90 percent rating. The Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50% disability rating, effective from July 24, 2017. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, which are claimed as related to his service. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and personnel records, and provide the Veteran with a new examination by an otolaryngologist.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during his military service and continues today, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted a 70 percent evaluation, effective from the date of claim. A TDIU is also granted, effective March 2, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded and requires additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence supports a link between his active-duty service and his current tinnitus. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for stomach disability is denied, due to insufficient medical evidence linking his stomach condition to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition began during his active military service and is related to exposure to loud noise from jet engines.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and evaluation due to a lack of VA examination.

The Board denied the claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities because there was insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as service connection was not established due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to military service.,Obstructive sleep apnea and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service, including exposure to noise. The claimants were advised that they could resubmit their claims if new evidence is provided.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the May 2014 rating decision denying these conditions was final due to an untimely NOD. The earliest available effective dates are the date of receipt of the new claim, which is May 23, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new evidence added to the record since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for an acquired mental health disorder (including PTSD and insomnia disorder) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.,Service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for bilateral blepharitis is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for a headache disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, tinnitus, and headache disorder due to the lack of evidence showing onset or continuity of symptoms during service.,There is no credible evidence linking current disabilities with service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, which began during service and has continued since then, is now considered a compensable disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions in a previous VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service. The examiner will need to provide an addendum opinion addressing these findings and reconcile them.