Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2000

The VA determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus was not well-grounded, as there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for right hand pain, tinnitus of the right ear, and a back disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic cataract of the left eye. The claim for a higher rating for macular pigmentation was also denied.

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 competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, glaucoma and cataracts are not well grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service or his service-connected cerebral concussion.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and rectum leakage as secondary to the low back disorder. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and gastrointestinal disorder are not supported by cognizable evidence showing that they are plausible or capable of substantiation.

The Board has determined that the claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease are not well grounded. The evidence does suggest that these conditions may be related to service, but further development is required.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The RO is directed to schedule a VA audiological examination to determine the nature, degree of severity, and correct diagnosis of his hearing loss, as well as whether he has tinnitus. If the determinations are adverse, the veteran should be afforded an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the previous denial does not meet the criteria for being new and material, thus preventing the reopening of the claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of head injury and tinnitus is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the other issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of thyroid cancers, increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus are not well grounded. The RO denied these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for otitis media, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not well-grounded. The claim for otitis media was denied because there is no evidence of current disability. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board determined that it did not preexist service as noted at the time of entrance examination, but also found that there was no medical evidence to show aggravation during service. Tinnitus was considered plausible under the law.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that both conditions were rated appropriately under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is not well grounded.,The appellant's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is found to be well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between any current disabilities and the veteran's active duty service, including as due to a fungal infection of the ears.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and residuals of ruptured right ear drum. The appeals on whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for left ear hearing loss and cervical spine disorder were dismissed due to lack of timely substantive appeal.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not severe enough to qualify for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, PTSD with considerable impairment in social and industrial functioning, and residuals of a nasal fracture. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied as the criteria are not met, and his claim for a compensable disability rating for the nasal fracture remains at 50 percent.