Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2001

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to provide for his own daily self-care or protect himself from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The veteran's overpayment of compensation benefits was not solely due to VA administrative error, and therefore the claim for a waiver is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than August 15, 1996 for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with no presumption or secondary connection involved.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his period of active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis with retro-orbital headaches and allergic rhinitis, but denied the other claims. The veteran's PTSD was granted a higher staged rating from June 6, 1998.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or shin splints.

The veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral subcutaneous mastectomies (partly due to service-connected fibrocystic breast disease), tinnitus, migraine headaches, hypertension, and irritable bowel syndrome are all granted. The residuals of her left foot bunionectomy and ostectomy with bilateral hallux valgus are also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but grants these claims due to the benefit of doubt.

The appeal has been dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal (reopening of a claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder) has already been granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted for left shoulder disorder, bilateral hip disorder, or tinnitus. The veteran's retropatellar pain syndrome of the knees is rated as noncompensable.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine. The claims for hearing loss, chronic pain syndrome, sinusitis, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and a right foot disorder were denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the impact of the veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to work, and the case is remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current low back disorder, and his left eye disorder was present at the time of service entry. The hearing loss disability of the left ear and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, low back pain, hip pain, and depression. Asthma was not found to be related to active service.

The veteran's tinnitus and actinic keratoses of the scalp are found to be related to his service. The claims for aching muscles, sleeplessness, and memory loss due to undiagnosed illnesses are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, with the tinnitus receiving a 10% rating.