Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand both issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the lack of notification regarding a scheduled VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with new evidence, and a new VA examination is required.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a back disability. The AOJ is required to readjudicate these claims on their merits.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates have been dismissed as the benefits sought on appeal have already been granted in full.,Service connection has not been established for GERD, left ear hearing loss, or right lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions were not initially claimed until a June 12, 2024 supplemental claim.

The issue of an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed as the Veteran's claim was already granted with a June 8, 2023, effective date and then later severed.,The earliest assignable effective dates for PTSD and migraines are April 11, 2024, as these claims were received within one year of the Veteran's June 8, 2023, intent to file (ITF).,Entitlement to earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and migraines is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Board has remanded the remaining claims for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of December 22, 2016, for his entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence showed that the Veteran was capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral feet disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, tinnitus, and headache disability.,There is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes. The Veteran's reported symptoms do not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active service. The decision concludes with a grant of service connection based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied, while his claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosed tinnitus disability and that it is related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, a right foot disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's current right foot disabilities need to be identified, and an opinion is needed regarding whether they are related to service. An addendum medical opinion is also required for the etiology of GERD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his right ankle and knee disabilities are denied. The low back disability claim has no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet (pes planus) were aggravated during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.,The Veteran reported experiencing tinnitus during active military service, which began in approximately 2021. The VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not due to his military noise exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome, headaches, OSA, and tinnitus. Service connection is granted for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss are not supported by the evidence.

The appeal for service connection for left eye impairment of vision is dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus and arthritis degenerative and gout are granted, but the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches and their secondary effects. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back strain is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, right ear hearing loss (only left ear is considered), and left ear hearing loss. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a low back condition is dismissed due to untimeliness.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and red itchy eyes is denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in the record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding these issues.