Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the timeliness of the May 10, 2024 Notice of Disagreement.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.,Service connection for a left foot disability is denied.,Service connection for a left hand disability is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety) is denied.,Service connection for a back disability is denied.,Service connection for right side sciatica is denied.,Service connection for left side sciatica is denied.,Service connection for a skin rash is denied.,Service connection for a right leg disability is denied.

The Board dismissed the propriety of severing service connection for orchialgia and denied service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's orchialgia was found to be secondary to his vasectomy, which is not eligible for service connection due to being elective. For tinnitus, the Board concluded there was no evidence linking it to service exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus. The Veteran served in an environment with exposure to hazardous noise from jet engines.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for diabetes, headache disorder, sleep apnea, GERD, and PTSD has been dismissed.,Service connection claims for headache disorder, sleep apnea, and PTSD have also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus and right hand and knee conditions due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service in Southwest Asia is noted, but no specific exposure basis was provided.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all issues appealed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for sleep apnea and hearing loss have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ needs to obtain a VA examination to clarify whether his service-connected disabilities cause him to require the need for regular aid and attendance of another.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as a result of continuous symptoms since service, meeting the requirements for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and a TDIU, with attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in March 2021. The issues were part of the same claim process.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence showing a current disability related to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's lay statements regarding noise exposure were not considered sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus and an acquired mental disorder (claimed as depression) due to a procedural error in providing notice of the right to a hearing.

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

The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity varicose veins, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it manifested during his period of active-duty service and has continued since.,Service connection for a back disability is remanded due to inadequate prior examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure. The Board found the evidence at least in approximate balance regarding whether the tinnitus was related to this exposure.

The Board has determined that service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service noise exposure resulting in current hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has remanded all service connection claims due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records, particularly from facilities in the Bronx, Puerto Rico, and Gainesville.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, back condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition as there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.