Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2013.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits arose on June 1, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for effective dates prior to October 29, 2020, for the grants of service connection for right ankle status post punctuate old avulsion fracture medial distal tibia with instability and tinnitus.

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

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, both conditions are now granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, as it started during her military service.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not meet VA criteria for a disability rating under the applicable regulations.,Migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, with attacks occurring once per month and no very prostrating and prolonged attacks noted.,Diverticulitis has been granted an initial 10 percent disability rating based on symptoms of occasional episodes of bowel disturbance.,Left foot hallux valgus is granted a 10 percent disability rating due to pain causing functional impairment.,Right foot hallux valgus is also granted a 10 percent disability rating for the same reasons as left foot hallux valgus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's clinical hearing loss and its relation to his active service, as well as tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's dementia, which was related to his in-service head trauma, contributed to or caused his death.

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 decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has remanded the issue of his bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for migraine headaches, which is secondary to service-connected tinnitus. The VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus aggravates his migraine headaches was inadequate and thus a new examination is required.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has found no legal basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that these conditions are related to his active-duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that her symptoms are related to military noise exposure and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection on a presumptive basis as it began in service and persisted since then. The effective date is set at the day following her separation from active duty, May 27, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no competent and probative evidence relating his current tinnitus to service. The Board considered the Veteran's in-service noise exposure but found it insufficient to establish a nexus between his tinnitus and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety), headache disorder, TBI, pseudofolliculitis barbae, sinusitis, left knee disability, right knee disability, and tinea versicolor of the arms, leg, chest, and face are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of CTS, tinnitus, or neuropathy in the record, and the Veteran's knee and spine disabilities are rated at their maximum allowable levels.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his military service based on a continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's tinnitus.