Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2000

The Board has granted a 10% rating for the service-connected duodenal ulcer, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7305.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his limited use of his left upper extremity and right hand, despite having some loss of use in his left lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is incurred in active military service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a breathing disorder, including anemia and/or asthma, is well-grounded.

The veteran was found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities as of September 14, 1996. The effective date for the grant of a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability is set at September 14, 1996.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for a higher rating of 70 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder, reopened his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and found that new evidence supports reopening his claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability. The RO continued the disability ratings that have been in effect since December 1976.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the current evaluations are already at their maximum under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, bronchial asthma, and tinnitus are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a nexus between any of these conditions and service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the current ratings of 10 percent are considered to be the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The claim for a psychiatric disorder was reopened, but the new evidence did not establish service connection. Claims for lung, low back, hearing loss, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome, and carbon tetrachloride exposure were also denied.

The veteran's tinnitus is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service, specifically the concussions and acoustic trauma he experienced during combat in Vietnam.

The veteran's chronic back syndrome, pes planus with callus formation, and tinnitus are each rated at 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and his bilateral hearing loss and postoperative right wrist injury are denied increased ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus were not well grounded, as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his periods of active duty or Reserve/National Guard service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left ear tinnitus are related to his military service, with evidence showing acoustic trauma during service. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss was aggravated by his period of active duty, and right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the appellant's service-connected residuals of fractured mandible and did not reopen his claims for service connection for malaria, a skin disorder, or tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from April 29, 1997.,Tinnitus was initially evaluated as non-compensably disabling prior to June 10, 1999. From that date onwards, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not well-grounded, as there is no evidence showing a medical nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service records clearly show he was hospitalized for gastrointestinal issues on July 17, 1944, and not present at the explosion. Therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.