Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an additional VA medical opinion on whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are causally related to her service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding the effective dates of service connection for recurrent tinnitus and asthma because they were improperly docketed in the AMA system, which requires a timely appeal within one year from the date of the rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service dates are not verified, which prevents a determination on his claims for service connection. The case is being remanded to verify these dates.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, TBI, craniotomy, orbital fracture, facial and scalp scars, radial nerve injury, shrapnel injuries, loss of smell, seizures, right wrist injury, and tinnitus are granted. Additionally, the Veteran is awarded Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for anatomical loss of the left eye.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current tinnitus and his active service. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's tinnitus was not related to in-service noise exposure due to the absence of auditory damage during active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The tinnitus, hypertension, and vertigo conditions are rated at the maximum allowable levels. The insomnia disorder and depressive disorder with anxious distress warrant a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for tinnitus. The claim is now remanded for further review.

The Veteran's tinnitus, cervical spine condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee, left knee condition, left shin condition, and ankle conditions are all granted as service connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence showing their onset during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a continuity of symptoms post-service. The Board also found that the medical opinions provided were inadequate to establish a link between current hearing loss and/or tinnitus and military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is related to his in-service exposure to noise. The Board found that the Veteran had a qualifying injury during service and established continuity of symptomatology since service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for a right shoulder disorder, an earlier effective date for tinnitus, and individual unemployability have been dismissed due to procedural issues.

Service connection is granted for deviated septum, back disability (lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis), left elbow lateral epicondylitis, left wrist tendonitis, psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder), non-allergic rhinitis, enlarged tonsils, anemia, and disability manifested by widespread muscle and joint pain.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began during her active military service and has continued since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete facts in the March 2021 VA examination. The Veteran is requested to provide an addendum medical opinion that addresses his lay statements regarding noise exposure, his Combat Action Badge, and his use of hearing protection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis due to in-service acoustic trauma and the current disability manifested within one year of separation. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as aggravated by the service-connected depressive disorder is also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no causal link between his in-service noise exposure and his current tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to service connection issues. A new VA examination is needed to determine if there is a relationship between the conditions and service.