Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's earlier effective dates for service connection of hypertension and tinnitus are denied.,An increased disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected hypertension is denied, as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

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

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted, effective from August 12, 2022 to August 22, 2023. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance is also granted as of August 12, 2022. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service combat stressors. The appeal of the proposed finding of incompetency was dismissed as premature, and the appeal for tinnitus is moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and low back disorder are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted due to lack of a current diagnosis and remanded for further action regarding dates of active duty and inactive duty reserve service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ankle pain. The claimant's private medical records showed diagnoses but no in-service events or injuries that could be linked to these conditions.,The Board also denied secondary service connection for a left ankle condition as it was not granted primary service connection for the right ankle pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain an adequate medical opinion. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since June 2014.,The Board finds that the combination of multiple disabilities, including sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and lumbar condition with radiculopathy, has prevented the Veteran from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and will be reconsidered by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during service or were caused by service.,Service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted effective December 30, 2020. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest during his active service or to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active service.,The Board also denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus did not manifest during his active service or to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for various conditions and revisions to evaluations. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his PTSD and vestibular condition.,VA has granted the Veteran an effective date prior to September 16, 2022, for the 100 percent rating assigned for PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred during service due to noise exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, GERD, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to pre-decisional errors in VA examinations.,VA is required to provide a VA examination if there is (1) a current disability; (2) an injury or disease in service; and (3) a possible nexus between them.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as it was not incurred in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as it was shown in service and has subsequent manifestations during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a link between current tinnitus and service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during his active service, and therefore service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and potential exposure to burn pits during service.