Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches and remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hearing loss or tinnitus, and the effective dates were granted based on continuous pursuit of claims since May 2021.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's vestibular neuritis and his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,There is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to missing medical records from San Juan VA Medical Center.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus, which may be related to military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and service connection for right ear hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the Veteran's unemployability is due to a lung condition unrelated to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating higher than 10% for tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating is already assigned.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating higher than 20% for prostate cancer residuals prior to May 7, 2024 was denied. A 40% rating from that date forward was granted.,The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for DM II with erectile dysfunction and postoperative cataracts, as well as right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves were not addressed in this decision.,The appeal for left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy disabilities was remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia remains at a 40% rating, the maximum under Diagnostic Code 5025.,The Veteran's low back disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.,The Veteran's right thumb disability warrants a compensable rating starting from October 13, 2016.,The Veteran's right little finger disability is granted a 10% rating.,TDIU prior to October 13, 2016, is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had onset in service and persisted since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service due to his exposure to loud noise, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, left hand disorder (including thumb), right arm disorder, back disorder, sinus disorder, and Hepatitis C have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service event that would support these claims.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the January 2014 rating decision is relevant to the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further evaluation, including a VA audiological examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his symptoms began during active duty and are related to this service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for tinnitus.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to an error in the AOJ decision.