Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error related to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding a causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent disabling for tinnitus, as she is already receiving the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating, finding no evidence of a current disability or sufficient in-service incurrence to support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD (claimed as anxiety, depression, and insomnia) and tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for a right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, left hip disability, bilateral foot disability, lumbar spine idiopathic scoliosis with intervertebral disc syndrome, right hip strain residuals, right hip limitation of flexion, right hip limitation of extension, right knee arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament tear residuals with a hamstring graft, and left knee bursitis for further development.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's report of onset during active service is competent and credible.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus and adjustment disorder with mixed symptoms of anxiety and depression, as no communication indicating intent to claim these conditions was received prior to April 4, 2023.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to an improper concurrent election.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition, tinnitus, an ankle condition (right), and right and left knee conditions based on evidence supporting the occurrence of these conditions during active duty.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus based on the evidence showing a current diagnosis and an in-service incurrence of hazardous noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, as his symptoms are fully contemplated by the rating criteria and he is already receiving the maximum rating offered under those criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression, standing alone, renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the Board granted entitlement to a TDIU based solely on his service-connected PTSD with depression, effective June 1, 2016.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for various conditions, as well as other service connection claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and headaches due to a need for additional development of the record.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for traumatic brain injury was remanded due to missing medical records and the need for an updated examination. Special monthly compensation for aid and attendance was granted.

The appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is remanded. The Board needs more medical evidence to determine if the veteran's service-connected disabilities require aid and attendance.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 10, 2010 for the Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board vacated its previous decision and remanded the appeal for further review of new evidence. The Veteran's claims for various conditions and ratings will be re-evaluated.