Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2000

The Board finds that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for venous insufficiency of the legs and finds it plausible. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cholesteatoma, left ear with tinnitus, status post tympanomastoidectomy; left ear hearing loss; and perforated tympanic membrane, left ear. The reasons were that there was no evidence of suppuration or aural polyps to warrant a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 6200-6260, as in effect through June 9, 1999, and the veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6100. The Board also found that there was no evidence of an exceptional or unusual disability picture warranting assignment of an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is well grounded and granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and tinnitus. The claim for left knee disability was reopened based on new evidence showing current disability.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected tinnitus does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as it is characterized as constant and severe.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip pain and tinnitus, finding that his claims were not well-grounded. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bursitis of the left knee was also denied.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, with the effective date set at February 9, 1995.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a link to his military service. The claim is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury and tinnitus are granted, but his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection as there was no medical evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded, and thus denied. The appeals were based on various conditions including right shoulder disorder, ear infections (manifested), tinnitus, right hip disorder, PTSD, left ankle disorder, left knee disorder, and gout.

The veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits was granted effective February 7, 1994. The RO denied his claims for right knee and back disabilities as not service connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are well grounded. The VA examiner found that the veteran's current hearing loss is consistent with his history, and it is as least as likely as not due to noise exposure during his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a fistula in ano are well grounded. The veteran's complaints of hearing loss and tinnitus have been attributed to his military service, and he is entitled to an evaluation for facial scars.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for a healed perforation of the left eardrum, whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded, and thus denied.

The appellant has withdrawn their appeal, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a cervical spine disorder, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.