Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2002

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen her claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss and an increased evaluation for tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for hypertension and heart disease. The initial rating for PTSD was also denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for tinnitus as a service-connected residual of acute lymphocytic meningitis was denied. The highest schedular rating available is 10 percent, and there are no additional benefits that could be awarded due to the severance of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's period of active duty service. The skin disability is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.

The Board finds that the veteran's current tinnitus is likely related to his active service, specifically the acoustic trauma responsible for his already service-connected hearing loss. As a result, the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. His claim for service connection for tinnitus was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, tinnitus, prostate cancer, and a psychosis. The claim for increased rating for degenerative changes of the fifth distal interphangeal joint of the right hand was also denied. The RO reduced the veteran's previously assigned 10% evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae condition but did not restore it.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including internal derangement of the right knee, hiatal hernia with minimal esophageal reflux, tear of the left medial meniscus, chronic fatigue syndrome, tinnitus, and varicosities of the left lower leg, are considered productive of total disability as of September 17, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for awards of service connection and compensation for tinnitus, finding no legal basis for an earlier effective date than October 15, 1997.

The Board determined that the veteran did not file an adequate substantive appeal for his claims of service connection and nonservice-connected pension benefits, thus dismissing these issues.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a defective hearing disability or tinnitus related to service. The initial medical evidence of these conditions was shown many years after service, following a post-service head injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation benefits related to his claimed conditions, including tinnitus, bilateral ptosis with conjunctivitis, headaches, and nervous disorders. The decision also addressed a claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such conditions within one year of discharge. The psychiatric disability was also not incurred in service. As a result, these claims are denied.

The veteran is seeking compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. � 1151 for various disabilities and adverse symptomology as a result of treatment received at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center from February 1998 to August 2001. The claims are denied due to lack of specific evidence regarding increased severity, causation by VA fault, or unforeseeable events.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disease, right inguinal hernia, and skin condition have all been denied. Service connection was granted for the residuals of a pre-existing right inguinal hernia repair.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The VA denied the claim that the veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The Board found no evidence linking any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his hearing loss and tinnitus, to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not due to noise exposure during service, warranting service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the earliest communication of record was in August 1997.