Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for tinnitus, chronic sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, and fibromyalgia with symptoms of unexplained back and leg pain due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for additional evidence regarding in-service environmental exposures.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings for various service-connected conditions, including lumbar strain, plantar fasciitis, pes cavus, tinea versicolor, right shoulder strain, and tinnitus.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD but denied a higher rating, and also denied an increased rating for tinnitus. The claim for service connection for the right shoulder condition was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left ankle joint pain, right ankle joint pain, left hip joint pain, left shoulder joint pain, right shoulder joint pain, and tinnitus to correct pre-decisional errors in the duty to assist.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right foot condition, left foot condition, sinusitis, and vertigo due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board is remanding the matter to ensure that VA obtains outstanding federal records, including February 2016 and February 2017 audiological test scores, as well as any relevant private treatment records.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities had their onset during military service due to acoustic trauma from his duties as a morse code interceptor.

The appeal for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the July 2023 rating decision was denied.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board granted the restoration of a 30 percent rating for the service-connected right shoulder disability, effective from November 29, 2022, due to an inadequate VA examination that did not provide range of motion measurements in weight-bearing or non-weight-bearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus, finding that June 21, 2023, is the earliest possible effective date.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea but granted it for tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for hyperlipidemia, vitamin D deficiency, and other conditions. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.

The appeal for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the July 2023 rating decision was denied.

All appeals for service connection and rating reduction were dismissed due to concurrent election of review options.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were adequately compensated by the current rating.

The Board granted service connection for headaches as secondary to tinnitus and denied a compensable rating for a scar associated with malignant melanoma, an increased rating for tinnitus, and remanded claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and TDIU.