Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination and lack of consideration of certain factors, including in-service noise exposure and possible delayed onset.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for kidney disability and entitlement to TDIU was denied. The Veteran's kidney disability is rated at 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a small superficially healing ulcer from chemical burn to his left side of face, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, pes planus and plantar fasciitis of the right foot, and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any other compensable basis.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while his claim for tinnitus was granted.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for higher ratings for GERD, rhinitis, sleep apnea, MDD, and ED. The Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations related to these issues constitutes a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss (BHL) has been dismissed as he did not submit a proper supplemental claim to reopen the previously denied claim.,An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's PTSD results in reduced reliability and productivity but does not manifest in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue where the AOJ did not accept the Appellant's timely VA Form 20-0996 Higher Level Review request for review of the June 2020 decision. The AOJ should now conduct a higher level review.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in April 1966 and April 2003 rating decisions, finding no pending or unadjudicated claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus prior to those decisions.

The Board has found that the March 2020 VA medical opinion is inadequate and requires an addendum to address whether the Veteran's tinnitus had onset in, and is causally related to, his service. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service due to hazardous noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his active-duty service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and the Board dismissed these claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. The issues of service connection for GERD, a lumbar disorder, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service exposure to noise during active duty.,The Veteran's lower back condition, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, is presumed to have started in service due to physical demands and a fall.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, insomnia disorder, right knee arthritis, lumbosacral strain, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are remanded for further development.