Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2026

Effective September 1, 2019, the Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma of the skin are granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and is related to noise exposure, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, and also denied a higher evaluation for insomnia associated with tinnitus. The effective date of the award of service connection for insomnia associated with tinnitus was granted as December 1, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that both conditions had their onset during active military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss are granted as service-connected, with the tinnitus being directly related to his military service and the hearing loss secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran experienced continuous symptoms since service separation and there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between in-service noise exposure and current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus disabilities prevent him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed face nerve impairment, tinnitus, or dental disability (tooth extraction) due to service. The claims are being remanded for further development and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new adequate opinions from appropriate clinicians.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals on earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, an upper right arm burn scar, and tinnitus. The claims for initial compensable ratings for PTSD and tension headaches were not addressed as they remained in appellate status.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. Bilateral hearing loss is presumed due to noise exposure in service, while tinnitus is found to be secondary to the service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of February 8, 2024. The appeal to have the effective date earlier than this date is denied. Additionally, the withholding of VA compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $28,437.60 is upheld as proper.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his active service and did not manifest during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeals for various service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for the issue of service connection for tinnitus, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and is related to military noise exposure, granting his claim for service connection.