Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her service-connected conditions did not prevent her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The appeal for service connection for bladder cancer is dismissed. Service connection for a heart disability, to include ischemic heart disease and hypertensive heart disease, is denied. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and other disabilities, did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and inadequate VA opinion, requiring further development of the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient examination findings, particularly regarding the use of medication in assessing the severity of the disabilities.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of tinnitus were chronic in active service and continuous since service separation. The Board also found that these symptoms manifested to a compensable degree within one year of service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. A new VA examination is required to address whether these conditions are related to service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 100% rating for major depressive disorder, SMC based on housebound status, and DEA eligibility is denied. The Board found that entitlement to these benefits arose after October 5, 2020.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have resulted from active military service, including hazardous noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus due to a duty-to-assist error and insufficient medical opinion. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure as a machinist mate, an in-service head injury with unconsciousness, or a combination thereof.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee scar disabilities, have resulted in his inability to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on the combined effects of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause the need for regular aid and attendance (A&A). The Board finds that SMC is not warranted.

The Veteran's TDIU rating was granted from May 23, 2012. The Board denied an earlier effective date for the TDIU.,The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 was also granted from May 23, 2012.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as a chronic disease under the one-year presumptive period following separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus claim should be remanded due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion and potential duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service due to exposure to noise during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied in a December 2007 rating decision, which became final. The Veteran did not file a new claim within one year of his separation from service and the effective date cannot be prior to November 29, 2022.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

Your claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted in a previous rating decision, and this appeal is dismissed as moot.