Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural issues, inadequate examination reports, and missing records. The VA will obtain new examinations and confirm all periods of INACDUTRA and ACDUTRA service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his noise exposure in service and grants service connection for it. The issue of service connection for OSA is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for TMD to include severe bruxism is set at May 14, 2024. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus have been granted. Diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Thailand under the PACT Act. Tinnitus is presumed to be related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, and headaches because the appeals were not timely filed.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder, an earlier effective date for DEA benefits, and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms being more closely approximated by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep apnea, hypertension, and IBS are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error in not obtaining relevant civilian audiologist records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for migraines, left hip instability, left hip pain, right hip instability, and right hip pain have been dismissed as the Veteran was awarded these conditions in a prior rating decision.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board found that her tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to hazardous noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service-connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were both granted. The Veteran had constant ringing in his ears (tinnitus) during service, which is considered a qualifying event for VA purposes. However, the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective December 22, 2023, as he met the schedular requirements for TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary arteriosclerosis, and multiple joint issues, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since July 26, 2023. The Board has granted an effective date of that day for the award of a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back condition and his lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus and skin cancer have been dismissed due to their death. The Board cannot issue a decision on these claims as the appeal is moot.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of bilateral hearing loss. The Board found new and relevant evidence to support reopening these claims.,Service connection has been established for tinnitus, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right foot disability, and skin disability.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for breathing problems and tinnitus, as well as an effective date prior to January 22, 2023, for the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis.,The appellant's claims are being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA medical opinions provided and the need for additional evidence regarding his tinnitus.

The appeal of the right knee disability claim is dismissed as it was deferred in a previous rating decision.,The appeals for back and neck disabilities are dismissed because service connection has been granted during the pendency of the appeal.,Headaches, right wrist, and right ankle disabilities are denied due to lack of current diagnoses.,Left knee and left ankle disabilities, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus are remanded as there is insufficient evidence or inadequate opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.