Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2000

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's tinnitus to any incident of service, including acoustic trauma in service. The claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Board granted service connection for a heart condition secondary to PTSD and assigned a 60% evaluation effective from July 11, 1991. The veteran's claim of TDIU was also granted with an effective date of July 11, 1991.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disorder, tinnitus, hiatal hernia, and ulcer. The evidence did not provide sufficient material to reopen the previously denied claim for stomach disorder. For tinnitus, the Board found no competent evidence linking it to service exposure. Similarly, there was insufficient evidence connecting the hiatal hernia or ulcer to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran incurred hearing loss during active duty service and finds it plausible that noise exposure in service contributed to his current hearing condition. However, there is no competent medical evidence linking tinnitus to service.

The veteran is seeking a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected tinnitus, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The RO has been instructed to consider the impact of tinnitus on his employment and provide an appropriate examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for multiple conditions, including a fracture of the right great toe, a disorder of the right leg and ankle, arthritis of the hands and feet, hearing loss, and tinnitus, are not well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches are not related to his service-connected tinnitus, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected vertigo and tinnitus, effective from September 20, 1994. The right hip fracture is also found to be secondary to the service-connected vertigo and tinnitus, warranting separate service connection.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues due to a lack of an adequate substantive appeal.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right foot or need for aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased evaluation for liver abscess secondary to Entamoeba histolytica are both denied as they lack sufficient evidence to support a well-grounded claim.

The Board found the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus not well grounded due to lack of credible evidence linking current conditions to service.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $670.00, finding that recovery would be against equity and good conscience.

The veteran's original claim for service connection was received on May 16, 1996. The RO granted the effective date of July 18, 1996, for his service-connected disabilities and later granted an earlier effective date of May 16, 1996.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that it began during his military service and is related to his active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are well grounded. The evidence supports a finding of current disabilities and links these conditions to the period of active military service.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for additional development of the record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including essential hypertension, right foot navicular bone fracture, hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is not well grounded, as there is no medical evidence linking current tinnitus to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.