Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and his tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent. The current ratings are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee scar, heart disorder (including hypertension), left shoulder disorder, tinnitus, bursitis, and amebiasis. The claims are not well-grounded as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these claims.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as it was not factually ascertainable within the year prior to September 4, 1997 that he was entitled to TDIU benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are not well grounded, and thus denied.

The veteran's major depression is due to disease or injury which was incurred in service, and the Board finds that service connection for major depression is warranted. The RO should review the remaining claims of service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, tinnitus, and disability due to exposure to non-ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and tinnitus of the left ear are service-connected, with a noncompensable evaluation for tinnitus initially granted. The veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that both conditions warranted only a 10 percent rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding no medical evidence linking the condition to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are causally linked to his active service, warranting a grant of service connection.

The veteran's claim for tinnitus is well-grounded, and service connection has been granted.,The veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist are well-grounded. Service connection was denied due to lack of clinical evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded and denied them.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of reopening his service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus are well-grounded. The RO should obtain medical records, conduct a VA audiometric examination, and determine whether the hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of injury to the right forearm are well-grounded. The RO should schedule a VA examination coincident with a flare-up in his skin disorders and ensure all pertinent medical evidence is associated with the claims file.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied as his disabilities did not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus in the right ear has been reopened, and he is now entitled to a 70 percent evaluation for his PTSD with major depression.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current complaints are at least as likely due to exposure to artillery fire during service. Service connection was denied for a visual disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to service or any other established condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral knee disability are denied as not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is well-grounded, and therefore VA has satisfied its duty to assist in developing facts pertinent to this claim. The evidence supports the veteran's contention that his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to an in-service injury.