Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, a left foot condition, and a psychiatric condition (including PTSD) need to be remanded due to procedural errors in scheduling examinations. The Veteran was not afforded proper VA examinations for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is not established, and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it was incurred in active duty.,For her bilateral pes planus, with left foot hallux valgus and bilateral plantar fasciitis, a rating of 40 percent is granted. The maximum schedular evaluation available under DC 5276 is assigned.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for tinnitus due to a procedural defect in complying with mandatory claims-processing rules, specifically the one-year deadline for filing a notice of disagreement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the hands and wrists, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran was not provided notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing before the AOJ.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his military service due to noise exposure during his time in the Navy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent from December 29, 2020 to August 1, 2022. The Board has remanded the issue of an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. Effective dates have been granted for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and sleep apnea (OSA), but not for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in the need for aid and attendance as he required care or assistance on a regular basis to feed himself, keep himself clean and presentable, protect him from hazards, and manage his medications.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will obtain an addendum medical opinion from the May 2023 VA examiner regarding the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to perform functions related to employment.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities, which do not include anatomical loss or use of both hands or burn injuries.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was initially denied in 2013 and again in 2015 and 2017. The Veteran filed a new claim on August 3, 2020, which was timely submitted after the one-year deadline. An effective date of August 3, 2020, but no earlier, is granted for the award of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current disability of either condition for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the claims of service connection for right-hand and left-hand conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claims for service connection are not considered valid as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted effective November 6, 2021. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current reports of in-service onset are credible and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned. The claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to missing audiogram records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was raised as early as June 24, 1994. The effective date of the grant of service connection for tinnitus is set to June 24, 1994.