Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete audiometric evaluations at entrance and separation, and the need for an addendum opinion regarding delayed-onset noise-induced hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The claims for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 9, 2022 for the service connection of adjustment disorder with anxiety, bilateral pes planus, thoracic spondylosis with lumbar spine arthropathy, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including back pain, prostate cancer, depression, bilateral knee pain, and other health issues. The Board granted SMC based on A&A.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a link between current tinnitus and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed tinnitus is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease, the compensable rating for scar status post lumbar fusion L5-S1, and the initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus have all been denied.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and sciatic nerve is granted with initial evaluations of 30% and 40%, respectively. The left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve remains denied.

The Veteran's pacemaker/stent is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic heart condition in service or within the presumptive period, and it is not related to his noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted based on current diagnosis and meeting VA criteria for hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for tinnitus was dismissed. The Board also remanded her claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder and tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus are granted service connection, while anxiety is denied. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome do not meet the criteria for service connection.,Service connection for left elbow tendinitis is remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and headaches have been denied because the evidence does not establish a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to her in-service noise exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating effective August 19, 2024 for service-connected residuals for pseudofolliculitis barbae with scars (initially claimed as a dermatological disability at the face and bilateral hands) is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed hypertension is related to his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's headaches are considered a symptom of his service-connected sinusitis, and thus separate service connection for headaches is denied.,There is no current diagnosis of shin splints in the Veteran's case. The prior manifestations have resolved without residual effects.