Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an increased rating for sinusitis is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6512.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, but his psychiatric disability has been productive of a demonstrable inability to obtain or retain employment since February 24, 1998. His residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left arm have resulted in moderate impairment of Muscle Group V muscles.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The veteran's current bilateral hearing disability is due to disease or injury which was incurred in service, and the Board finds that service connection for the condition is warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and as such, grants service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for asbestosis and a right great toe disorder are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection due to the lack of evidence showing entitlement prior to the date of receipt of the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but denied on the merits. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service injury or disease. The Board also found that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected defective hearing does not warrant a rating in excess of 60 percent. The veteran also has other non-service connected disabilities and is deemed unemployable due to his age and multiple medical conditions, thus denying entitlement to TDIU.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were dismissed as abandoned due to his failure to respond to VA correspondence and fail to provide a current address.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated at 80 percent, effective June 10, 1999. The claim for a TDIU rating remains denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been granted, with the exception of the claim for hemorrhoids which has not yet been reopened.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and there is no evidence of compensable hearing loss within one year after his separation from service. The veteran's tinnitus was not incurred during active duty service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his awards of service connection for sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. The effective date for sensorineural hearing loss is set at August 19, 1998, and for tinnitus at August 19, 1997.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be due to noise exposure during World War II service, thus service connection is granted.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the denial of service connection for tinnitus or hearing loss, as the evidence then of record did not support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for high blood pressure and tinnitus, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The right knee and left knee disabilities were not addressed as they did not arise during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The conditions were found to be not incurred in or aggravated by service.