Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2025

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 100 percent for lung cancer but granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, effective December 7, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, right wrist, left wrist, lung condition, mental health condition (anxiety and depression), thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, plantar fasciitis, and migraine due to a lack of evidence supporting current disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that new and relevant evidence was received sufficient to readjudicate the claim. The Veteran's tinnitus is considered a symptom of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and OSA but denied service connection for hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, right hip pain (secondary to knee disabilities), left ankle disability, and right ankle disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for tinnitus as moot, since it had already been granted by the AOJ.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran based on his credible account and supporting evidence.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and relevant evidence had been submitted to warrant readjudication of the previously denied claims.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), left restless leg syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right ankle disability, right ankle scar, and hypertension. The Board also remanded several claims for further development.

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, SMC at the M level based on loss of use of the lower extremities, and SMC at the O level based on the award of SMC L and SMC M. The claim for SMC based on housebound status was dismissed as moot.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim for a low back condition for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for larynx cancer, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. A 10 percent rating was granted for hypertension, but the claims for colon cancer with residuals and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD with TBI, and post-concussive headaches. Service connection was denied for gulf war syndrome.

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

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have continued to the present.

The appeal for the issues of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus and sinusitis are dismissed as a matter of law. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a lower back condition and tinnitus, denied a higher rating for PTSD, and remanded the remaining claims for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for posttraumatic and tension headaches, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, tinnitus, and remanded several claims related to radiculopathy, ankle, thumb, and tinnitus. An effective date of May 3, 2019, was granted for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy impacting the femoral nerve.

The Board granted the status as a surviving spouse for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) purposes, denied service connection for right hand arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea, granted service connection for chronic myelocytic leukemia, and denied earlier effective dates for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The claims for increased ratings and other remanded issues were also addressed.