Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and tinnitus are denied as there is no medical evidence showing current disabilities. The claim for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss of the left ear remains unresolved, and the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left wrist fracture has not been addressed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but his tinnitus claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claim. The right eye scar is not considered service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing disability and tinnitus are due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The claims are now the subject of further development.

The Board denied service connection for an inguinal hernia, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims of reopening these issues were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an increased evaluation for tinnitus. The Board found no evidence of current right shoulder disability or that any current tinnitus is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's original claim of service connection for tinnitus in March 1980, which became final. The veteran applied to reopen his claim on October 27, 1995, and the RO granted service connection for tinnitus with a 10 percent rating effective from October 27, 1995. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not assignable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a sinus condition, and a left eye injury. The evidence did not meet the criteria for hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's tinnitus to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and active duty for training.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, are severe enough to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied increased ratings for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current criteria.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing disability is granted. The initial evaluations for these conditions remain at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found in favor of the veteran, determining that his tinnitus disability is related to his period of active military service.

The Board found no evidence of a causal link between the veteran's tinnitus and his military service or any exposure to noise trauma therein, leading to a denial of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not warrant a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of active service, specifically noise exposure while serving with an engineer battalion. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are linked to his active military service, with noise exposure being the primary factor. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not occur during service or are otherwise related to service, thus denying his claims for service connection.