Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2000

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of left shoulder dislocation, hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal regarding PTSD is pending.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus and left ear hearing loss were evaluated, with the tinnitus receiving a 10% rating effective March 19, 1996. As of June 10, 1999, the RO assigned a separate 10% evaluation for the tinnitus.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's preservice hearing loss was noted at enlistment, but it is unclear whether or not this worsened during service. Tinnitus was first noted after separation from service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired left knee disorder, ulcers, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred in service. Additionally, the Board determined that the veteran's left knee disorder was not proximately due to or worsened by his right knee disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected labyrinthitis with tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining vocational rehabilitation records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, tinnitus, and presbyopia were not well-grounded. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected disability for bilateral defective hearing or chronic tinnitus. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn) is well-grounded, and the skin disorder of the toenails is considered to be incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that they were not well-grounded. The dental trauma claim was also denied but is pending as it pertains to treatment purposes only.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus is not well-grounded because there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, but denied his claim for bronchitis due to herbicide exposure as not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nicotine dependence and respiratory disability due to tobacco use, hearing loss, tinnitus, neurological disability, circulatory disability, and lung disability. The claims were found not well grounded.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right ankle injury, right shoulder injury, and tinnitus. The skin disorder claim is not well-grounded.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, and hemorrhoids were denied by the RO. The RO did not assign a rating higher than 10 percent for his low back condition or his tinnitus, but continued to deny his requests for higher ratings for his bilateral patello-femoral syndrome and hemorrhoids.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral defective hearing and determined that it is well-grounded.,The veteran's current tinnitus is also considered a well-grounded issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and depression, are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or depression related to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as they are not well grounded.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, or sinus disorder to service and denied the claims for service connection.