Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board found that the Veteran's notice of disagreement was untimely and dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and a left ankle condition have been denied as there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between the conditions and service.,There are no chronic disabilities or symptoms of tinnitus or left ankle issues noted during or immediately following service, and the Veteran has not provided credible evidence to support his assertions of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is assigned for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's combined disability rating was 90 percent from March 10, 2021 to June 14, 2021 and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and housebound status due to insufficient evidence regarding his need for regular aid and assistance. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and continues to this day, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral tinnitus is granted as the evidence shows a current disability that began in service and continued thereafter.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted as the Veteran's tinnitus manifested within one year of separation from active service.,Service connection for a back disability is granted as the Veteran reported experiencing back pain during active service and has continued to experience flare-ups since then.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and left pectoralis muscle disability have been granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of these conditions, with the exception of the left pectoralis muscle disability, which was not found to be incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported noise exposure during active duty service is at least in equipoise with his lay testimony of ringing in his ears. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied. The Veteran does not have a current disability of left ear hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's vertigo is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not that the condition would have been less severe but for her service-connected tinnitus, and whether it is at least as likely as not aggravated by her service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his educational and occupational background. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, which he asserts was caused by in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. Service connection for hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not have a current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

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

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right ear tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 4, 2022 for service connection of right ear hearing loss and right ear tinnitus are denied.,There was no filing of a prescribed claim form before March 2015 or communication manifesting an intent to file before that date.

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

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral tinnitus is granted as the evidence shows a current disability that began in service and continued thereafter.

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

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and sleep disorder and disturbance are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The Board will consider the evidence at the time of the July 2022 agency of original jurisdiction decision in conjunction with these new examinations.