Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure, but he does not have current hearing loss as defined by VA standards.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and chronic disability due to anger issues, all of which are associated with his 2008 deployment.

The Board has remanded several claims related to service connection, effective dates, and ratings for various conditions including sinusitis, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, a scalp scar, traumatic brain injury (TBI), PTSD, and alcohol abuse disorder. The AOJ is instructed to consider all additional evidence received since the last adjudication in February 2020 and March 2020.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection is now established.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic neuropathy right lower extremity are all granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.,The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy left lower extremity is also granted as service connected due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left foot condition, but granted service connection for tinnitus.,Service connection was not established for the umbilical hernia as it is considered a pre-existing condition that did not worsen during service.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability, and a vision disability. Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,Service connection claims for right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded due to the Veteran's testimony indicating worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate prior to February 3, 2020 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his entitlement to a TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his orthopedic conditions and diabetes mellitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, right wrist disability, and gout were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service. The Board found the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,GERD was also denied as there is no indication of its onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a current disability or a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 7, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions, and the current disabilities were not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of left little toe fracture, tinnitus, and bilateral foot metatarsalgia with right foot degenerative arthritis, did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 30, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions including coronary artery disease, anxiety disorder, peripheral neuropathies, diabetes, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. He is granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period of October 5, 2012 through July 12, 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for residuals of left knee injury, tinnitus, bilateral shin splints, and sinusitis, allergic rhinitis due to insufficient development of the record.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had a combined 70% service-connected disability rating at the time of his death. However, since none of his service-connected disabilities were rated as totally disabling, the criteria for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are not met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded due to the need for further development.,An effective date prior to December 4, 2017 for service connection of tinnitus has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disability, left knee disability, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

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