Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder and tinnitus) do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he has the ability to perform sedentary work.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected as the evidence shows he experienced symptoms during his active duty and there is no evidence of pre-service or post-service onset. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus after resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire period on appeal. As his combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, he meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that his current tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. However, the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied, as there is no persuasive evidence of current bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disability meeting VA criteria, and the Veteran's symptoms are not linked to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on a June 2024 Board decision.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for left knee instability and right knee instability. Tinnitus is found to be related to noise exposure during service. Left knee and right knee instability are not supported by evidence of current disability or symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a current disability, onset during service, or relationship to in-service noise exposure.,For his left foot disability, the Board finds that there was an error in the decision-making process regarding the duty to assist. The Veteran's claim will be remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while his right ear hearing loss is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, but denied for his right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. Claims for right eye cataract, foot pain, lung cancer, hypertension, heart disability, PVD and bilateral iliac artery stents, interstitial lung disease, COPD, and benign prostate condition are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune.

Service connection for ED was granted with an effective date of May 17, 2021.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied prior to January 20, 2022.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was granted with an effective date of January 5, 2024.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for kidney disability was denied.,Service connection for OSA was granted.,Service connection for PTSD was denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include MDD and anxiety was granted.

The Veteran's application for enrollment in the PCAFC is denied because his serious injury occurred after May 7, 1975 and before September 11, 2001. The application was filed before October 1, 2022, which is when VA regulations require a denial of such applications.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as none of his conditions qualify under the specific provisions set forth in the regulations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his bilateral pes planus is denied. The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings.

The Board has identified several pre-decisional errors and remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and any service treatment records from the Naval Reserves. The Veteran's diagnoses of high-risk open angle glaucoma, incipient age-related nuclear cataract, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus (flat feet) are conceded by the AOJ. The PACT Act presumption is not applicable to these claims as they do not involve herbicide exposure or other toxic exposures.