Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also meets the requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's insomnia disorder is aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and/or TBI disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of tinnitus and establishes continuity of symptomatology since service, meeting the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for back pain is denied. The evidence does not show a current disability manifested by back pain during or close to the pendency of the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep disorder is remanded. A TERA examination is needed to determine if his sleep disorder is related to his exposure in Southwest Asia, including Kuwait and Iraq.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were not rated higher than a compensable rating.,Tinnitus was evaluated at the maximum schedular rating available for that disorder.,Bilateral hearing loss was rated at 30 percent effective October 18, 2019.,Cervical spine disability was rated at 50 percent as of October 18, 2019.,Tension headaches were rated at 50 percent as of October 18, 2019.,Lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 20 percent prior to February 7, 2020.,RUE radiculopathy and LUE radiculopathy were both rated at 20 percent.,Residual lumbar spine scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied, while his claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and has remanded the claims of left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of medical evidence establishing current disability during or recent to the pendency of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as there is no medical evidence showing a link between the Veteran's current tinnitus and his exposure to hazardous noise during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship to service.,Service connection was also denied for COPD and emphysema as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for PFB was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for such.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence showing impairment recognized as a disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted, with the evidence being in approximate balance regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his military service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were granted effective July 10, 2020. The Board found that the earlier effective date of July 10, 2019 was warranted due to a correction in his military records.

The Board dismissed the petition to readjudicate the service connection claim for diabetes mellitus Type I and denied a higher rating for tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus had its clinical onset in service or is otherwise related to active duty.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is considered a chronic disease under VA regulations and the onset of symptoms occurred during active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination in December 2021. The Veteran is asked to provide a new VA examination to determine if her hearing loss and/or tinnitus had its origin in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to hazardous noise exposure during active duty service and has granted his claim for service connection.

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

The Board has dismissed the appeals as the Veteran's authorized representative withdrew all pending claims.