Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or within the presumptive period. The Veteran's tinnitus, however, is granted as it is related to his active service.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are remanded for further development due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding their onset and relationship to service.,The Veteran's right ankle disorder is also remanded for further development due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions in the April 2021 decision. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraines, and tinnitus are found to be of such severity that they prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected PTSD, cervical intervertebral disc syndrome, and tinnitus. As a result, the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to these conditions is granted.

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

The Veteran's PTSD alone rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and his other service-connected disabilities combined to at least a 60% rating. SMC based on statutory housebound status is granted as of April 21, 2015.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied because the preexisting condition did not worsen during service.,Entitlement to service connection for bronchitis is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The Veteran's BHL, right foot pain, and hemorrhoids are remanded for further evaluation.,Right foot pain is remanded for a VA examination.,Hemorrhoids are also remanded for a VA examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of PFB and duodenal ulcer, as well as his claim for service connection of OSA. The claims were withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is not causally related to his service-connected disabilities, but may have been aggravated by them. The Board also found that obesity, which may be linked to his service-connected disabilities, was a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea. As such, the issue must be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits, finding that he did not have an employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities and was therefore not in need of rehabilitation.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a rating greater than 0 percent.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of tinnitus was denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular evaluation (10%).,Service connection for headaches, secondary to service-connected tinnitus, was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and has persisted since, granting service connection for this condition.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss are related to in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed because it has been granted in the March 2024 rating decision.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for back condition is dismissed because it has been granted in the April 2024 rating decision.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle is dismissed because it has been granted in the April 2024 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ankle fracture with degenerative arthritis are granted. The right ankle disability claim is remanded for further evaluation.