Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability at the time of filing his claim or during its pendency. The evidence showed no complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions until after separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of hypothyroidism and service connection for tinnitus are remanded due to incomplete development. The VA must provide additional examinations and opinions regarding the severity of his hypothyroidism symptoms, as well as the nature and etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as a direct result of military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), and a bilateral foot disability (claimed as plantar fasciitis) are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Veteran's initial 40 percent rating for hypertensive chronic kidney disease is granted, effective December 1, 2025. A TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a grant of this benefit.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory condition (claimed as COPD) due to inadequate examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's prostate cancer claim is denied due to lack of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and insufficient evidence linking his condition to service.,The Veteran's left ankle disability claim is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding pre-existing versus in-service aggravation.,The Veteran's lower back disability claim is remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion on the relationship between his current condition and service.,The Veteran's depression claim is remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion on the relationship between his current condition and service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if he has hearing loss and whether it is related to service.,The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and nontoxic goiter claims are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to his left ankle injury.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion on the relationship between his current condition and service.,The Veteran's nontoxic goiter claim is remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion on the relationship between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his left foot disability is denied as secondary to a right foot disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence showing that the tinnitus caused or aggravated the headaches.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted effective from May 24, 2024. The claim for increased ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted as service connected, and the claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision found that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing did not begin in service, become manifest to compensable degree within a year of separation from service, and is not related to noise exposure in service. Service connection was granted for tinnitus due to military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right ankle ankylosis and knee replacements, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since January 30, 2024. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the April 2004 rating decision denying these claims.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to a need for an addendum opinion addressing the relationship between his current disability and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of his hands or feet, nor does he have a severe burn injury. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.