Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing disability is not related to his military service.,The Board also denied service connection for tinnitus, concluding that it is less likely than not caused by or related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cerebrovascular accident/CVA, and congestive heart failure as they have already been addressed in a previous decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a TBI.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his tender right leg scar is remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as his income is below the poverty threshold.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the appellant's tinnitus had its onset during active service and is not attributable to any intercurrent causes. Service connection for low back pain was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a low back disability.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new and relevant evidence. The claim for tinnitus is granted, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral shin splints, and knee injuries, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 9, 2019. The Board has granted TDIU on this basis.

The appeal for initial compensable rating for service-connected scar of the anterior cervical spine, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome is dismissed. Service connection for a heart disability is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no nexus between the conditions and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus arose in service and has continued since, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for eligibility to the direct payment of fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a September 2023 Rating Decision was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for GAD with MDD with TBI and headaches, including nausea. The Veteran's right foot surgical scar status post bunionectomy is rated at 10%.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the psychiatric disorder claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues due to a lack of medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The claim for higher rate SMC(t) due to traumatic brain injury is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being permanently bedridden due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not meet the criteria under sections (1), (2), or (3) of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l). The Board concluded that the Veteran was not permanently bedridden or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a finding of TDIU effective January 1, 2020.