Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted effective June 20, 2020. The Board denied earlier effective dates as the earliest possible date is June 20, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding no nexus between his current tinnitus and in-service military noise exposure. The condition did not manifest within one year of discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus due to military noise exposure. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there was a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and MDD, is found to be related to his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's tinnitus was first noted during active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and low back arthritis are all granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted. The housebound rate is moot as the SMC based on aid and attendance is a greater benefit.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disorder were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.,For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The appellant's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The appeal for service connection for headaches is dismissed as moot due to the July 2022 rating decision recognizing it as a symptom of his service-connected TBI. The appellant's initial disability rating for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and associated symptoms, including headaches, is granted at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disease, trigeminal neuralgia pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), right lower peripheral neuropathy, left lower peripheral neuropathy, right peripheral vascular disease, left peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, heart condition, and hypertension are being remanded due to the Veteran missing his VA examinations.,The Board finds that the Veteran presented good cause for having missed his appointments and therefore, the claims must be remanded to afford the Veteran adequate examinations and medical opinions regarding these disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, but his bilateral hearing loss remains in dispute due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board has ordered remand for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of tinnitus, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have been continuous since service separation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, right hand disability, and left hand disability due to a lack of current diagnoses and no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except tinnitus have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran. The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining a VA medical opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has identified procedural due process errors and the case will be remanded to allow for additional evidence submission related to service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.