Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing service records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU from September 1, 2018.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for COPD is dismissed as the NOD was untimely filed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric and/or cognitive disorder, and bilateral vision loss. These claims are REMANDED for further development.,The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric and/or cognitive disorder, and bilateral vision loss is REMANDED as new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims.,Service connection for COPD remains denied. The claim is REMANDED due to the presence of new and material evidence regarding secondary service connection.,The appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for COPD, TDIU, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status is REMANDED.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities and no nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for bilateral ankle strain condition due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is considered a direct result of his military service, with no presumption or secondary link established. The denial of service connection for the ankle strain condition is based on insufficient medical evidence showing continuity of symptoms from service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus, specifically related to noise exposure during service. The claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service noise exposure and post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol, sciatica prior to July 8, 2022, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), TMJ, GERD, CFS, bilateral ankle disabilities, tinnitus, headaches prior to December 29, 2023, insomnia with unrestful sleep, and a mental health disorder. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was caused by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and the Board granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral vision loss, hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, tinnitus, right neck lesion, shoulder disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist pain, lumbar spine disability, colon disability with associated abdominal scar, and foot disabilities. The reasons given include lack of evidence showing the conditions were present during or within one year after service, no credible link to service, and failure to show continuity of symptoms.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Appellant's withdrawal of his appeals for VA benefits, service connection, and compensation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum of 10 percent and no higher rating is available under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there were duty-to-assist errors in obtaining medical opinions prior to the July 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's headaches are not considered secondary to his service-connected bilateral tinnitus disability.,The Veteran's dizziness is also not considered secondary to his service-connected bilateral tinnitus disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown to be related to his military service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinion.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have begun in service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (vertigo) on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt in determining that his service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his vertigo.