Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2026

The Veteran is granted an effective date of July 18, 2018 for both TDIU and basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA). The decision acknowledges that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to require the aid and attendance of another, effective April 3, 2020. The appeal for SMC based on housebound status is dismissed as moot due to the award of SMC under section 1114(l).

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for tinnitus is denied. The Board has remanded the remaining claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, are being remanded due to incomplete evidence and procedural errors.,

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran did not have an in-service injury or disease. The evidence showed arthritis of both knees developed years after service.,Service connection was also denied for tinnitus, as there was no credible evidence linking it to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.,Service connection for insomnia, as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, was granted.

The Board has granted the appellant's eligibility to receive a direct payment of attorney fees from past due benefits awarded in July 2024 for service connection of tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to noise exposure during active duty. Service connection for left hand crush injury is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical care provided by the City of Los Angeles Fire Department on January 16, 2021 is granted. The claim was timely filed and VA authorized the emergency treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a failure to obtain relevant audiograms and treatment records, as well as an inadequate VA examination opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, total right and left knee replacements, tinnitus, degenerative disc disease with spinal fusion complications, painful middle back scar, and scars of the knees, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. A TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for heart disability, to include hypertension and pacemaker implant, as secondary to now service-connected bilateral hand and bilateral foot osteoarthritis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was denied, and the Board found that no effective date prior to May 30, 2019 is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the service-connected right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for benign prostatic hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms (claimed as urinary frequency).

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was granted a 100% disability rating effective May 2, 2023. An initial 30% disability rating for headaches is granted. A separate evaluation of 10% for dizziness related to tinnitus with vertigo is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, a lower back disability, migraine headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. The evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding inadequate medical opinions for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.