Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA audiological opinions, which are required to determine if there is a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, OSA, and right shoulder disorder due to issues with notification of VA examinations and lack of current diagnoses or etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, particularly in relation to service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating under VA regulations. The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's insomnia disorder is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU from May 6, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology has not been established. The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not start during service or within one year after service, and it is less likely than not caused by noise exposure or herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for right ankle and left ankle disabilities is denied due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's right and left ankles were not shown to have been injured during service, nor did they develop to a compensable degree within one year post-discharge.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection, as it is related to his in-service noise exposure.,His left ear hearing loss remains denied, with the Board finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The appeals for service connection claims related to degenerative arthritis of the spine, residuals of broken left ankle, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied, while her claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Hyperlipidemia and exposure to firefighting foam are not service-connected.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus as well as the appeal for an increased rating for tinea pedis due to untimely filings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a relationship between his current tinnitus disability and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid attendance/housebound status. Further development is needed to distinguish between service-connected conditions and non-service-connected conditions that affect the Veteran's ability to perform self-care functions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, so the appeals for these conditions are dismissed as there is no remaining issue to decide.