Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of chronic in-service tinnitus or a link to military noise exposure. The Veteran's statements were not considered competent evidence to support his claim.

Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss has been granted.,An initial 10 percent rating is assigned for residuals of the right fifth finger fracture with a gap between fingertip and proximal transverse crease, effective from August 25, 2017. The left knee condition also received an initial 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as it pertains to service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The claims for right and left lower extremity frostbite are remanded due to a lack of proper examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of December 16, 2020, for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU on December 16, 2020, but remands to conduct additional development regarding his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is a positive opinion supporting the Veteran's claim and rejecting any contrary opinions. The evidence submitted since the June 2020 rating decision includes updated VA treatment records and a private medical opinion from M.B., which supports the Veteran's contention that his tinnitus stems from noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The current 10 percent rating is the highest possible under the applicable diagnostic code, and there is no evidence of exceptional symptoms or impairment warranting an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's eye condition, myopic astigmatism, is not service-connected as it was present prior to service and no superimposed disease or injury occurred during service.,There is no evidence of a current chronic headache disorder related to the Veteran's service. The Veteran's migraine headaches are not service-connected.,Hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown in service, did not manifest within a presumptive period, and there was no continuity of symptomatology attributable to service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected as it is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right-hand fracture and residuals of right arm fracture, finding no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection for sleep apnea was also denied as the evidence did not show it manifested during service or within one year post-service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his award of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was no evidence showing that he was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to October 22, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus did not have onset in service and is not otherwise related to service or any event of service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for tinnitus, which led to the dismissal of this case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for GAD secondary to tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left leg disability, left shin disability, left arm disability, right shin disability, and sinusitis as new and relevant evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or PFB-related scars. Increased ratings were also denied for mixed tension migraines.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claim for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate VA opinions and potential need for further testing.

The Board has found errors in obtaining the Veteran's complete service personnel records and has determined that remand is necessary to correct these pre-decisional errors.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's statements and medical opinions support a link between his military service and the onset of tinnitus. The Board resolved all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination in determining the etiology of tinnitus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of tinnitus before the Board could make a decision.