Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, and right hip conditions, rendered him unemployable as of August 30, 2015. The Board granted an effective date for the TDIU award on this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma with obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder bursitis, tinnitus, left knee limitations, and right knee instability, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 17, 2018. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates and ratings related to hip conditions are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision is based on the lack of current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and the finding that tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with your claims as they are no longer valid.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,There is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea, and the Veteran's claimed sleep problems are not service-connected. The Veteran's sleep impairment is already compensated for under his major depressive disorder rating.,The Veteran's headaches are granted as service-connected.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for tinnitus, acid reflux, and hypertension due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's OSA is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The effective date for TDIU was granted from May 17, 2016.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a higher initial rating for PTSD prior to April 22, 2021 and for TDIU and DEA benefits prior to that date. The Veteran was previously granted a 70% rating for PTSD effective November 5, 2010, but not higher.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus is denied as the earliest possible effective date is on the date VA received the intent to file a claim, which was August 19, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist, including conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric condition and inadequate medical opinion for service connection of bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee pain has been denied.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus is rated at 100 percent effective October 8, 2020.,Effective October 8, 2020, the Veteran is also entitled to SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's left knee claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence. The Veteran's migraine headaches claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus, intermittent position-related dizziness (vertigo), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's GERD due to medications used to treat his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (lumbosacral strain, bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus) are preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds a pre-decisional duty to assist error has been made and remands for VA to obtain Social Security Administration records relevant to his TDIU claim.

Your claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted, effective March 13, 2021. As a result, your appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease has been dismissed as the condition was previously granted. The issue of a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss is denied, and the issue of tinnitus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding National Guard service and post-service medical records. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is denied as it does not meet VA standards for a disability. The right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear injury claims are also remanded for further examination and opinion.