Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board granted an effective date of January 28, 2013 for the award of service connection for PTSD and TDIU. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since 2010.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is rated at noncompensable (0%) due to the lack of exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.,Tinnitus has been assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10% since the date of claim, and no higher rating is warranted as it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent under DC 6260.,The Veteran's post-traumatic stress changes to both wrists are rated at 10%, which is the maximum schedular rating available. No higher rating is warranted based on the evidence of record.,Tinnitus has been granted service connection since July 31, 2019, and no earlier effective date is warranted as there was no pending or unadjudicated claim for tinnitus prior to that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for these conditions during the pendency of the claim. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's reported symptoms of tinnitus and his military noise exposure.

The Veteran is granted TDIU prior to July 3, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the symptoms are contemplated by the current rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits prior to July 5, 2018. The evidence did not provide a factually ascertainable date that entitlement to a TDIU arose prior to this date.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun in service and has persisted since then, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's continuous symptoms since service meet the criteria for presumptive service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the December 2019 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and hemorrhoids due to a lack of Active Duty service treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that prior to November 5, 2018, he did not require regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within the applicable presumptive period.,Service connection has not been established for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current disabilities for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist disability, right ankle disability, or patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee that meet VA criteria for compensation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus began during active duty and is related to military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus aggravated his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reports of in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service are credible.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period on appeal, excluding a temporary total rating period from January 30, 2024, to February 29, 2024.

The Veteran's death from Covid-19 is not service-connected as his conditions did not have their onset in service and were not related to any in-service injury or disease, including the service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claim for secondary service connection for migraine headaches is remanded.

The Board has restored service connection for tinnitus, migraines, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) with hiatal hernia and gastritis. The severance of these conditions was improper due to the evidence showing they were incurred during periods of active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and is related to noise exposure during active duty, thus granting service connection for tinnitus.