Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for a left hip disability, while remanding other claims for further development.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee dislocated semilunar cartilage, denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion, granted a 10 percent rating for right knee instability, and dismissed the appeal regarding entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The Board remanded the claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board granted service connection for insomnia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus but denied an increased rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding a continuity of symptoms since the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, service connection for a back disorder, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and related benefits, as no clear and unmistakable error was found in the prior rating decisions and the evidence did not support an earlier effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between the current disability and in-service noise exposure.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions began during active service.

The Board remands the matter for an adequate medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus, including whether it is related to in-service noise exposure or secondary to a service-connected cardiovascular disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service-connected right ankle degenerative arthritis status post ankle fracture, right shoulder status post labrum tear repair, and tinnitus, as there was no prior communication regarding a claim for disability benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU from June 8, 2020, to October 25, 2023, and also denied his claim for SMC from October 26, 2023.

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, except for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which was granted a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection were partially granted, with specific conditions receiving different effective dates.,The Veteran was awarded a total disability rating for PTSD starting October 28, 2020, and service connection for tinnitus, sinusitis, and migraine headaches starting April 1, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the Veteran has a current disability for VA purposes. The claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim for bilateral hearing loss due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a left hip disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding no evidence that it was caused by or a result of military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, finding that June 15, 2017, was the appropriate date for service connection for PTSD; alcohol use disorder; and major depressive disorder, moderate, with psychotic features; bilateral hearing loss; tinnitus; and April 12, 2018, for migraine headaches.