Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that he does not have a current disability and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support a nexus between his in-service hazardous noise exposure and these disabilities.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC eligibility was denied due to lack of personal care services. The Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation and clarification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, left knee disability, and sleep apnea were dismissed as the appeal was untimely filed.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in providing notice of the right to a hearing before the RO, and the AOJ is required to provide this notice.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a separate evaluation of 30 percent for chronic sleep disruption associated with service-connected tinnitus is granted, as the symptoms align with a 30 percent rating under the General Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability meeting VA compensation criteria. The claims for adjustment disorder, glenohumeral joint dislocation, limitation of motion, pain of the right ankle, sleep apnea, and pain of cervical and cervicothoracic regions are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The issue of service connection for a headache disorder is remanded due to errors in obtaining relevant National Guard records and treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active-duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus, finding that the condition is aggravated by his tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the VA decision denying enrollment in the PCAFC program was not based on a proper application of the law and regulations, specifically regarding the definition of 'supervision, protection, or instruction' under 38 C.F.R. § 71.15. The Board therefore remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with the onset likely during his initial active duty for training period from March 1999 to October 1999.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, major depression, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, GERD, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 21, 2008 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was denied. The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied.

The Veteran's status post left inguinal hernia repair is rated as noncompensable, with no recurrence of the condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied due to lack of continuity of symptomatology from service or in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for broken left leg, left knee replacement, cervical spine condition, and back surgery were all denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.,The Veteran's right ankle condition with Achilles tendonitis and right foot condition have not been readjudicated due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for sleep apnea is denied, and his request for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to a violation of procedural requirements.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right knee strain are found to be related to service, while the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and insomnia) is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination. The claim for migraines is also remanded.,The Veteran's right knee strain and tinnitus are granted service connection, while the acquired psychiatric condition and migraines claims require further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of adequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The lumbar spine disability rating issue is also being remanded for an updated examination.