Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The evidence shows that the Veteran's migraines were aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Unemployability (TDIU) effective from May 28, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic cardiomyopathy s/p myocardial infarction, unspecified anxiety disorder with unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, right elbow osteoarthritis, right elbow limitation of supination, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 29, 2023. The Board granted the Veteran's TDIU claim for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss do not cause the need for aid and attendance on their own or in combination with each other. The Board denied his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is a but-for aggravator of his migraines, and therefore grants secondary service connection for migraines.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar scars have all been granted effective as of March 14, 2023.,However, the Veteran's initial compensable rating for his lumbar scars remains denied.

The VA has failed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records from his initial period of active duty, which could have affected the decision. The case is being remanded for the RO to consider these new records in their first instance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for ED as secondary to PTSD is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a duty-to-assist error related to the scheduling of VA examinations. The Board finds it unclear whether the Veteran received proper notice of the scheduled appointments and thus, the claims are being returned for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine, left shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity associated with intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, and tinnitus, have caused him to need regular aid and attendance due to his limited mobility. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to noise during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete service records, specifically regarding the Veteran's active duty with the Air Force Reserve. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the condition did not manifest within a presumptive period following service and continuity of symptomatology since service was not established.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection for accrued benefits.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from April 30, 2008, to December 15, 2009.

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

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