Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain an adequate nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's tinnitus claim and because of the PACT Act, which requires compliance with VA's statutory duties for certain non-presumptive diseases involving toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during service or to a compensable degree within the first post-service year. The Board concluded that the evidence of record does not support a nexus between the Veteran's tinnitus and his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability is granted as service connected, with all doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 27, 2019, was denied. The Board granted the claim and assigned a March 4, 2020, effective date due to the submission of a complete claim within one year of notification.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus have been denied as the evidence does not support higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during or shortly after his military service and are related to noise exposure. The absence of a diagnosis in service does not preclude service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to a lack of an adequate VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted as service-connected. The right ear hearing loss is remanded for further rating consideration.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied, and the Board has decided to remand it due to a duty to assist error regarding Social Security records.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability is related to his active-duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore denied service connection. The case is remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as it did not find a causal relationship between the condition and military service, including noise exposure. The Veteran's tinnitus was first reported in 2007, which is more than 30 years after separation from active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of evidence to support these conditions as being related to military noise exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of adequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the claims of lower back condition, left wrist condition, and mental health condition (post-traumatic stress disorder).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including above the right knee amputation and diabetic peripheral neuropathies of both lower extremities, render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities without assistance. The Board has granted SMC at the R-1 rate.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure, but the current opinion is insufficient.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The lumbar spine disability, PTSD, HTN, and ED issues are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.