Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining military personnel records and a VA examination, which are needed to properly assess the Veteran's tinnitus claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unclear notice and denial reasons. The Board finds the PCAFC decision did not clearly state which criteria were unmet, leading to a need for clarification.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The Board denied both claims.,For TDIU, the evidence did not show that the Veteran was unemployable prior to August 29, 2017. For DEA, eligibility was based on the effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, thus the Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for headaches, including as secondary to tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, psychiatric disorders, OSA, and bilateral hearing loss due to pre-existing duty as a field artillery turret mechanic. The Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure are considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding a nexus to service. The VA examinations provided were inadequate.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of tinnitus due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus is the result of acoustic trauma in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus, headaches, and vertigo are granted service connection. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for anxiety is remanded as a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent since April 5, 2019. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and knee conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hemiparesis of the right upper extremity and right lower extremity, unspecified depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity, tinnitus, and hypertension, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to an error in providing notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand and right hand disabilities are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in an employment handicap, thus he is not eligible for VR&E services.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are more likely attributable to non-service-connected Meniere's disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent tinnitus was granted in a December 2023 rating decision, but the appeal is dismissed as moot because it was concurrently filed with the Board appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current tinnitus and active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service. The Board found the evidence does not support a nexus between his current bilateral hearing loss and his active service.,The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service, as he reported experiencing symptoms since 1969. Subsequent manifestations were noted during the appeal period. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial 20% disability rating for bilateral dry eye with pinguecula and conjunctivitis was granted, but the other claims were denied.