Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the veteran.

The veteran's claim for prior VA authorization to pay for gender alteration surgery was denied because VA is prohibited by law from providing such services.

The veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, arthritis, and ulcer were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for otitis media of the left ear and tinnitus, both found to be related to the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The rating assigned for bilateral hearing loss is now 20% from February 12, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to September 14, 1999 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a hearing loss with otitis media and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as a nervous disorder), finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus remains denied.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service due to acoustic trauma, and granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to reopening claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The RO is instructed to obtain any missing service medical records, including those from July 12, 1956 and August 16, 1956, as well as an October 14, 1955 audiogram.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examinations and information regarding employment status. The appellant's disabilities, including hypertension and hyperlipidemia, have not been fully evaluated in the context of pension purposes.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection and evaluation of various conditions, including left ear tinnitus, left shoulder adhesive capsulitis, dizziness, a skull condition, photophobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The decision also addressed an increased rating claim for right ear tinnitus.

The Board denied reimbursement or payment for unauthorized medical services provided on November 17, 1999 due to lack of prior authorization from VA personnel and the procedures not constituting an emergency situation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure from jet engines and boxing matches. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and his PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since October 22, 1997. The appeal for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The Board denied both the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that he was already receiving the maximum disability ratings available under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for the arachnoid cyst and found that it is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's in-service head injury. The claim for tinnitus remains pending, with further examination needed to determine its onset and relationship to service. The increased rating claim for residuals of a craniotomy will be addressed in the REMAND section.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back injury, tinnitus, sinusitis, skin disease, head injury, and psychiatric disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back injury are service-connected. However, there is no evidence of a heart disorder (claimed as a heart murmur) being related to service.

The April 14, 1982 rating decision granting service connection for tinnitus with a zero percent evaluation was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The veteran did not appeal the initial rating decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a rating decision from July 2, 1947. The CUE claim is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. However, the veteran's appeal of his tinnitus claim was not timely filed.