Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board requires an adequate VA examination to clarify whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require the aid and attendance of another.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's testimony of onset during service and continuing ever since is credible. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current diagnosis by VA standards.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided was inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's restless leg syndrome, including whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of May 12, 2022. The decision is based on new and relevant evidence submitted after a previous denial.

The appellant has withdrawn all appeals related to various conditions, including scar from fibular fracture repair and right knee strain. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a procedural error in docketing the same service connection claim for tinnitus under two different dockets.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and hypertension have been dismissed as the AOJ has granted these conditions in full.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and sinusitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing their secondary nature.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the other issues due to incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection as they were likely caused by noise exposure during service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Other Specified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder with Bipolar Disorder) is also granted based on the Veteran's reported stressor of witnessing a plane crash at Pope Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claims for a back disorder, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, chronic sinus infections, right shoulder disorder, and squamous cell carcinoma.,PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to provide an additional VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service or his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his bilateral foot conditions and lumbar spine disability are denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,Claims for effective dates earlier than March 17, 2023, for CAD, ED, and tinnitus have been denied as there was no prior intent to file a claim before that date.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is not being readjudicated due to the law change allowing VA to grant this claim on August 10, 2022.,SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ has been denied as it was awarded based on the effective date for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because service connection for tinnitus was already granted in an August 2022 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge is unclear and remands for further action to obtain relevant personnel records, including those related to his request for discharge upgrade.

The Board has remanded several issues for further review, including increased evaluations for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and wrist disabilities. The Veteran's appeal is pending.

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

The claim for service connection for a lower back disorder is readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence received.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,Tinnitus has been granted as likely related to in-service noise exposure, but the Veteran's bilateral eye disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder claims require further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements are credible and outweigh the negative opinion from a VA examiner. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.