Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for TBI, sleep disturbances as secondary to PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, an initial compensable rating prior to February 27, 2024, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for migraine headaches, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The claim for TDIU was remanded.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's right ear disability, finding that a higher rating is not warranted under applicable diagnostic codes.

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

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including lumbar degenerative disc disease and radiculopathies, as well as tinnitus, due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back pain with muscle spasm and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, while denying earlier effective dates and higher ratings for tinnitus, and remanding claims for right hand third digit laceration, insomnia disorder, and right knee disability.

The appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed, and the claim for tinnitus was denied. The remaining claims were remanded for further evidence.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, left upper extremity (LUE) radiculopathy, right upper extremity (RUE) radiculopathy, and tinnitus based on the evidence showing onset during active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board granted service connection for an other trauma and stressor-related disorder and tinnitus, but remanded the claims for a penile condition, left knee disorder, neurological disorder of the right lower extremity, and neurological disorder of the left lower extremity.

The appeal was dismissed as the Veteran did not file claims for major depression, intermittent explosive disorder, diabetes, tinnitus, and bilateral feet conditions. The Board also denied a higher rating and an earlier effective date for bronchial asthma.

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

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The issues of entitlement to service connection for lung cancer and lower extremity conditions are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disability, and a sleep disturbance disability as there was no evidence of current disabilities resulting from the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and restored the 20% rating for a lumbar spine disability. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and the Board has no jurisdiction over these issues.

The appeals for service connection for a skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are dismissed as the claims have been granted for the entire period on appeal.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss based on the Veteran's credible lay statements and the evidence of record.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain effective June 4, 2024, and denied an evaluation greater than 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for liver disease, arthritis, psychiatric disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active military service.

The Board granted service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that the evidence was in at least approximate equipoise regarding its etiology. The other claims were remanded for further development.