Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability was denied. The claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to tinnitus and right shoulder arthritis, including the effective dates for service connection and an initial rating. The Veteran's attorney argues that VA failed to provide an informal conference before making these decisions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during service and has persisted since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss as there is no competent evidence of current diagnoses in the record.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus, as the current opinion is inadequate due to the absence of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The initial compensable disability ratings for right ear hearing loss, PFB, and tinea pedis are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and OSA. The Veteran contends that his current OSA was caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability and tinnitus.

The Veteran's right leg shin splints are currently rated at 10 percent, and his tinnitus is also rated at 10 percent. The Board granted the initial disability rating for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, and will consider each issue individually.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete STR records and an inadequate medical opinion. The claims will be reconsidered with complete STR and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected multiple sclerosis.,Her depression appeal is dismissed due to it being a symptom of her already service-connected neurocognitive disorder.,Tinnitus was denied as there is no current diagnosis and the Veteran did not report any during active duty.,Bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of qualifying hearing loss for VA purposes.,High blood pressure, spinal fluid leak, left wrist pain, right wrist pain, back pain, and neck pain were all denied due to lack of a nexus to service.,Left shoulder pain and right shoulder pain were also denied without a clear link to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and will schedule an examination for the Veteran's tinnitus claim.

An effective date of June 1, 2015, but no earlier, for the award of special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.,The claim of service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,His low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety) are denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to a finding of in-service noise exposure and subsequent development of the condition.,There is no persuasive evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma to his active military service. The Board finds that the current diagnosis does not meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not diagnosed during or within one year after his active military service, and there is no persuasive evidence linking it to service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's headaches and his service. The Board finds that the current diagnosis does not meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran has diabetes but there is no persuasive evidence linking its onset or development to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the rating increase to 100 percent for PTSD is denied due to a lack of evidence demonstrating total occupational and social impairment during the year prior to September 24, 2020.,The claims for service connection for hypertension, OSA, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus are remanded as insufficient development was performed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Tinnitus was not shown to be present within one year after separation from active duty, nor is there any credible evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claims for eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing (SAH) and a special home adaptation grant were remanded due to the AOJ overlooking favorable legal determinations that greatly expanded his service-connected disability picture.