Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of competent evidence supporting his claims. The claims were not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of hands, impotence, low back pain, residuals of fracture of right forearm, and tinnitus. The claims were found not well-grounded due to a lack of current medical evidence supporting these diagnoses.

The veteran's service-connected disability compensation is subject to recoupment of a special separation benefit in the amount of $58,164.68, with Federal income tax withholding not subject to recoupment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative otitis media, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus do not warrant increased disability ratings as they are currently evaluated.

The veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations and service connection were denied. The appeals are addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, otitis media with mastoidectomy, and tinnitus as there is no evidence of additional disability warranting a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches were not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected and denied his claim for depression as it was not well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus condition, and left eye injury are not well-grounded. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link it to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during a private hospitalization and outpatient treatment, finding that no emergency existed at the time of the treatment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of a previously denied claim are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and tinnitus. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as dysthymia and PTSD) was considered on a de novo basis. Service connection for chronic low back pain was granted with a 10% evaluation. The veteran's left inguinal hernia and eye disorder claims were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right heel condition. The veteran was granted noncompensable evaluations for these conditions.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal due to his failure to allege any error of fact or law in the February 1994 rating decision.

The Board denied a request for an effective date earlier than February 13, 1991 for service connection of tinnitus. The veteran's claim was not filed prior to February 13, 1992.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations and earlier effective dates, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current ratings or an effective date prior to July 31, 1997. The veteran was granted total disability based on individual unemployability as of July 31, 1997.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and ear dysfunction, including earaches and tinnitus, on a direct or secondary basis. Service connection was granted for anxiety disorder with depressive features and scar on the anterior throat, but both were rated at their minimum levels.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for chronic right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as they were not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right ear tinnitus were incurred in service, granting service connection for both conditions.