Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2000

The veteran is entitled to assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected Môniére's disease, which precludes locomotion without assistive devices.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found no evidence of a well-grounded claim for service connection for any psychiatric disorders, headaches, tinnitus, neck and back disabilities, or muscle spasms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media. The RO assigned a noncompensable rating for each condition.

The Board determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a cardiovascular condition were not well-grounded. The RO has obtained all relevant evidence necessary for an equitable disposition of these appeals.

The veteran's claims for hair loss, tinnitus, left eye twitching, fatigue, and sinus problems as due to an undiagnosed illness have not been well-grounded. The Board found that the current symptoms of these conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection under the presumptive provisions for Persian Gulf War veterans.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, deflection of the nasal septum with difficulty breathing, and left wrist disorder were not well grounded. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

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 active service.

The veteran's PTSD and dysthymia are rated at 50 percent, the maximum allowed. Other disabilities have not been granted higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right ear hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The claim for schizophrenia was also denied, but with a remand to consider whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the appellant currently has bilateral tinnitus which is most likely the result of combined noise exposure both in service and from his civilian, post-service occupation as a machinist. Therefore, the claim for service connection for tinnitus due to acoustic trauma in service is granted.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain VA treatment records and provide the veteran with an opportunity to submit additional evidence in support of his claims. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for otitis media, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not well grounded due to lack of competent medical evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for loss of bladder and bowel control are not well grounded as there is no evidence showing a current disability related to service or service-connected low back disability. The claim for residuals of injury to the head, including scarring, is also not well grounded due to lack of credible evidence of such an injury during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The decision also noted that there was no current examination regarding the veteran's service connected residuals of hepatitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have been granted. The veteran is found to have current disabilities including bilateral defective hearing, tinnitus, low back pain, and dermatitis, all of which were incurred in service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, residuals of a laceration to the right forearm, and hearing loss due to lack of evidence supporting these claims. The claim for hearing loss is well-grounded but requires further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for verification of periods of active duty training and inactive duty training, as well as additional medical records. The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus are pending.

The Board dismissed the motion seeking to review a final decision involving clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in their August 2, 1994 decision.