Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2026

The appeal to readjudicate the previously denied claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for an undiagnosed illness (claimed as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome) is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, breast cancer, and a low back disability. The evidence did not support her assertions that these conditions began in service or were related to any in-service events.,The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran’s current diagnoses to her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause incapacity requiring regular aid and attendance, and the Board has granted SMC effective March 17, 2023.

The appeal concerning service connection for left hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired mental health condition (depression, anxiety and insomnia), a lumbar spine condition, a right knee condition, and a left knee condition is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for headaches, erectile dysfunction, and gastrointestinal condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 20 percent for recurrent musculoligamentous strain of the lower back and episodic spasms with pyriformis syndrome is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating to 30 percent for weakness of the right upper extremity (RUE) secondary to multiple sclerosis is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that it began in or was related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no persuasive evidence linking the current condition to service. The Board finds the June 2024 VA examination report most probative.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied, as there is no persuasive evidence that it began in or was related to service. The September 2024 VA examiner's opinion is considered more persuasive than the Veteran's assertions.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disability is remanded due to incomplete examination report and need for further investigation into the etiology of the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of right foot injury (including fifth toe fracture and calcaneal spur), and sleep apnea. The appeal is remanded for additional development regarding the claim for service connection for a right side sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating of 20 percent for right knee tendinopathy status post right ACL tear with knee instability, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus have all been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 10% disability rating, effective February 7, 2024. However, the effective date cannot be earlier than October 16, 2021, as it is based on the date of receipt of the request to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus and allergic rhinitis have been rated as the maximum available under VA guidelines, so a higher rating is not warranted.,The evidence does not support an increased rating for allergic rhinitis due to lack of polyps or other complications. The sinusitis claim has also been remanded.,Service connection for acute sinusitis cannot be established based on current evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative lumbar arthritis and injuries to his lower extremities, result in the loss of use of both lower extremities such that he is unable to effectively ambulate independently without assistive devices. This meets the criteria for specially adapted housing eligibility.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and right knee condition aggravated his OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), leading to obesity which in turn caused or aggravated his OSA. Therefore, service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it began during service due to excessive noise exposure and continues to this day.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they were withdrawn by the Veteran's representative. The claims of service connection for a bilateral eye disability, prostate cancer, skin cancer, left knee disability, right knee disability, cardiovascular disability, and headaches are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not address a CUE motion regarding the effective date of service connection for tinnitus, and thus remanded the case to allow the AOJ to adjudicate these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service onset or relationship to active duty. The decision cites lack of credible evidence supporting a nexus between current tinnitus and service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bladder cancer, and hypertension are all granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted as new and relevant evidence was received, and the Board found that her tinnitus is related to military service.