Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection of various conditions, including cold weather injuries and hearing loss. The Veteran's death during the appeal process means that no decisions can be made on these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular evaluation (10%) and is not entitled to a higher rating.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it only involves loss of erectile power without penile deformity.,Prior to August 12, 2020, the Veteran's GERD was manifested by nausea but did not present with symptoms warranting a higher evaluation (e.g., epigastric distress).,Since August 12, 2020, the Veteran's GERD has been manifested by specific symptoms that do not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the effective dates of service connection for PTSD and tinnitus prior to September 8, 2022.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no causal relationship between her current disabilities and her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied in December 2019. The Board found that the new evidence submitted on February 23, 2022, did not make a difference and thus did not trigger reconsideration under 38 C.F.R. § 3.156(c). Therefore, the claim for an earlier effective date than February 23, 2022 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural errors in the VA decision-making process.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during his active service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding the ratings for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD as the appellant requested withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service exposure to hazardous noise. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

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

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective December 11, 2009.,The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has reviewed the evidence submitted since the October 20, 2020 rating decision and found it not relevant to the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Therefore, the claims are denied.

The Veteran's chronic interstitial cystitis and tinnitus were granted service connection, with the rating for chronic interstitial cystitis restored to 60 percent effective April 1, 2023.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 11, 2022 for service connection for tinnitus was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 11, 2022 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 11, 2022 for a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or a causal relationship to service.,Specifically, the Board found that hyperlipidemia is not considered a disability for VA purposes and pre-diabetes does not constitute a diagnosed disability. Obesity was also deemed not a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, flat feet, tinnitus, and plantar fasciitis have been denied. The Board found no current disabilities of these conditions at the time of filing or during the pendency of the claim.,Service connection has also not been granted for rhinitis, migraine headaches, and OSA (secondary to PTSD). These claims are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their onset in service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and earlier effective date were dismissed due to the untimely filing of his Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran is granted a separate 20 percent disability rating for his right knee meniscal tear, resolving the issue of entitlement to such.,His other issues regarding left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as they do not warrant higher ratings.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for bilateral tinnitus, left shoulder injury, right knee condition, and left knee ACL injury. The Veteran's claim for service connection for these conditions is being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.