Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus of the left ear, as his claims are not well-grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking the tinnitus to his diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing impairment but denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to a higher disability rating for tinnitus. The case is remanded for issuance of a statement of the case regarding the issue of a higher disability rating for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for hypertension with sporadic premature ventricular contractions. The issues of low back disability, deviated nasal septum, rhinitis with enlarged turbinates, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were also addressed but are pending further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral defective hearing are not well-grounded, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any other plausible cause.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches with history of concussion are granted. The claim for chronic swelling of the ankles is denied.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus to his active military service, resulting in a denial of the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to in-service acoustic trauma and service connection for this condition is granted. However, there is no evidence linking the veteran's tinnitus to his active military service.

The Board has found that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have granted them. The veteran is entitled to service connection for acne vulgaris, a right knee disorder, a left ankle disorder, tinnitus, and periodontal disease (for treatment purposes).

The Board found that the veteran's claims of hearing loss and tinnitus were not well-grounded, as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, bilateral shoulder disability and PTSD are not well-grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted a separate evaluation of 10 percent for tinnitus and a zero percent evaluation for right ear hearing loss with tinnitus, previously rated as one disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues, finding that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection in any of these areas.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent for PTSD, effective from January 29, 1993. The veteran's cardiovascular disability is rated at 30 percent with tinnitus also rated at 10 percent, both effective October 15, 1997. An earlier effective date for TDIU and service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the September 18, 1968 decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's claim was denied as his hearing loss did not pre-exist service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for low back pain and tinnitus are not well grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence showing these conditions resulted from or were aggravated by VA treatment in May 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for entitlement to TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not well-grounded, as there was no competent medical evidence linking his current disabilities to his active service.