Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus should be remanded due to inadequate examination report.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service. The AOJ is required to obtain adequate medical opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed as the Veteran did not timely file a VA Form 10182.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for psychotic disorder and major depression with psychotic features has also been dismissed due to untimely filing of the notice of disagreement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to duty-to-assist errors in the October 2022 VA examination. The examiner relied solely on the absence of documentary evidence, without adequately explaining why the Veteran's hearing loss was not delayed.

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

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for anemia (unspecified) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7720.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, back condition, and tinnitus were remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The appeal of service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have continued since.,Service connection is established for both conditions based on direct evidence of a link between in-service noise exposure and current disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and has been present continuously since discharge, warranting the grant of service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were not supported by current medical evidence of a diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea, and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were previously decided in a September 2021 rating decision, appealed to the Board in November 2021, and adjudicated by the Board in an October 29, 2024, decision. The appeal of these issues is dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability (degenerative arthritis of the spine), right knee condition, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and left shoulder disability are denied.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied as he had overcome his employment handicap and was employable with a Bachelor's degree in Human Services. The VRC offered employment services but the Veteran chose to pursue a Master's degree instead.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The kidney disorder claim, which was related to herbicide exposure, is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is incarcerated, and the AOJ must make an additional attempt to provide him with an examination by either a VA contract provider, a VA medical provider, or prison medical providers (at VA expense).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed as he has withdrawn the appeal.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the overpayment of VA compensation benefits was properly created and calculate its accurate amount, as there are issues with the debt's validity and calculation.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hair loss and memory loss are denied.