Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent, and his tinnitus does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted a higher disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD and denied any increase in the disability rating for tinnitus.

The veteran's tinnitus was found to be service-connected and an effective date of October 31, 1997 is granted for a 10% evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims for tinnitus and bronchitis remain denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus were not well grounded, and thus denied. The case is now remanded to provide additional development as requested by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and his PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent. The appeal for an increased evaluation for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 10% evaluation, and his scars do not warrant any additional compensation. The hearing loss claim is reopened due to new evidence submitted since June 1989.

The Board has found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, but denied service connection for a left greater trochanter disorder and solar elastosis and sun damage as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a change in the law and the need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral tinnitus, COPD, myocardial infarction, and hypertension are all service-connected. The evidence shows these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for both PTSD and tinnitus. The evidence showed no current disability, and the VA examinations indicated that the veteran's symptoms were inconsistent with the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a cold injury (frostbite), hypertension, a heart disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disability including PTSD and a circulatory disability. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and a compensable evaluation for his residual scar from an appendectomy, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus of the left ear and residuals of a left shoulder injury, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The conditions are deemed to have been incurred during active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for lower extremity jerking was dismissed as no timely substantive appeal was filed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA audiological examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus diagnosed. The RO must ensure all notification and development action required by the VCAA are completed.