Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, tinnitus is granted service connection, and an unspecified depressive disorder is granted service connection. The effective date for the rating increase for migraine headaches is February 5, 2018.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the condition dating back to her active duty.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are also granted as secondary to her service-connected neck strain.

The Veteran is granted service connection for chronic rhinitis due to exposure to burn pits during service, effective August 10, 2022.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus as it began during service and continues since then.,Bilateral hearing loss is not currently diagnosed or present for VA purposes.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome claim is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 15, 2017 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus has been denied. The Veteran is already in receipt of the maximum permissible scheduler rating for his tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied. His assigned rating contemplates that disability picture.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), loss of the left leg (amputation), and loss of the left arm (amputation) have been remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues with his claim for service connection for a right elbow disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism, claimed as secondary to medication, has been remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues with his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including neuro-psychiatric and sleep conditions).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right elbow disability has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted from April 30, 2014 to April 8, 2020. The other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), as well as his claims for gastritis secondary to medications taken for service-connected disabilities, are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma. However, right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability.,There is no persuasive evidence demonstrating a current diagnosis or manifestation of right ear hearing loss or tinnitus within the context of VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, but remanded the issues of service connection for these conditions due to insufficient evidence in the November 2018 VA audiological examination.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted on a presumptive basis. Service connection for hypertension, except under the PACT Act, is remanded due to potential direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, insomnia, right shoulder disability, and left knee disability. The conditions are all related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of tinnitus, right knee disability, and left knee disability for further development. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection due to in-service onset with continuity of symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50% effective October 18, 2021. Bilateral hearing loss and TBI have been granted service connection with an effective date of October 19, 2017.

The Veteran's tinnitus started during active service and continued to present. The Board has found that the criteria for service connection have been met, granting entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. For the back disability, the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Specifically, upon remand, VA must obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as the evidence does not show that he continuously prosecuted his claims within one year of the February 2010 rating decision.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and returned the claims of bilateral hearing loss and right foot condition to the RO for further development. The decision on the right foot condition is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active-duty service.