Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for tinnitus was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and therefore, service connection is restored.

The Board found that the calculation of the combined disability rating from November 5, 2010 to January 26, 2022 was correct at 40 percent. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD). Service connection for tinnitus was denied due to lack of chronicity in service and no evidence linking it to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have started during service and is related to service, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinion and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active-duty service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, but his bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act. Claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is related to her military service despite conflicting reports from her VA and private physicians. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected panic disorder without agoraphobia alone prevents him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 27, 2009. Additionally, the Veteran has additional service-connected disabilities independently rated at 60 percent or more, qualifying him for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits as he did not have an employment handicap and his service-connected disabilities did not substantially contribute to his vocational impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to duty-to-assist errors and inadequate opinions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were inadequate, as they did not address the etiology of the Veteran's conditions. The Board is therefore remanding these claims to obtain addendum opinions from qualified examiners.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the adequacy of the VA examination provided in March 2021. The Veteran's tinnitus is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it first manifested in service and has continued since.,The Veteran's migraine headaches and hearing loss were both found not to be secondary to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service exposure to loud noise, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.