Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2001

The veteran's seizure disorder is rated at 80 percent effective February 19, 1972.,The veteran's sinusitis is rated at 10 percent effective June 22, 1992.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment prior to April 7, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for knee disorder, sinusitis, and tinnitus. The claim for an initial compensable rating for low back pain with sciatica was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death, and the criteria for DIC based on claimed service connection for the cause of death have not been met. The veteran was denied entitlement to DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus, finding that the earliest possible effective date is January 6, 1999.

The Board has determined that the unappealed rating decision of February 26, 1952 was clearly and unmistakably erroneous in denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, these conditions are now considered service-connected.

The case is being remanded for additional development due to the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The RO must ensure all notification and development action required by the VCAA are completed, including obtaining relevant records identified by the veteran.

The veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, considering his educational and occupational background.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and further development is required.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for chronic tinnitus, hypertension, asthma, and emphysema resulting from VA lung surgery in May 1991.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation, finding no new evidence to reopen his claim of second degree burn scars. The other issues were also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a ruptured left tympanic membrane. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and denied his claims for increased ratings of PTSD. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability was not warranted earlier than March 7, 1995.

The veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, but his cervical spine and low back disorders were denied. The right shoulder disorder claim is pending as new evidence has been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for increased evaluations for otitis media with tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss requires additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an increased rating for fungal infection/tinea versicolor. The veteran's current symptoms are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tachycardia, deviated nasal septum with sinusitis, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding of chronic acquired cardiovascular disease or any other disability related to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also granted service connection for both conditions as they are related to inservice noise exposure.