Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2002

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings and new rating determinations on tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral otitis media was dismissed due to the absence of a timely Substantive Appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including exposure to noise. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 14, 1997 for a 10 percent disability evaluation for tinnitus. The veteran argued that he was entitled to this evaluation based on a change in VA regulations in March 1976, but the Board found that his claim was not filed within one year of this regulation change.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 90 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent lumbosacral strain and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's conditions are likely due to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The veteran is not currently shown to have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes. His service-connected tinnitus is manifested by ringing or a loud shrill in the ears. His service-connected left ear hearing loss is currently shown to be manifested by auditory acuity level I.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted service connection for the residuals of a fracture of the left lower leg with post-operative scar. The claim for a compensable disability rating for a scar on the right hand was also denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to noise exposure during active military service, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the August 1977 rating decision that assigned a noncompensable evaluation for tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability related to residuals of a left ankle sprain. The evidence supports service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran has withdrawn all appeals for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus. The veteran's tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated during active duty, thus denying this claim. For PTSD, the Board found no verified inservice stressor attributed to the veteran's service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it likely related to noise exposure during service. The initial evaluation for a perforated right eardrum remains denied.

The Board granted a compensable disability rating of 10 percent for tinnitus, but denied the claim for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with noise exposure in service being considered as a contributing factor.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, and is now evaluating both conditions together. The veteran's right ear hearing loss remains at issue but will be evaluated in conjunction with the other issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pharyngitis, labyrinthitis (also claimed as vertigo, tinnitus and an ear disorder), dorsolumbar paravertebral myositis, and dysthymic disorder. The decision is final due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not meet the criteria for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities as his combined disability rating is less than 70%.

The Board finds that an effective date earlier than October 27, 1998 for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted. The veteran's informal claim was received by the RO on October 27, 1998, and no earlier dated correspondence or statements were received indicating an intent to file or reopen a claim for this benefit.

The Board has granted a 50% rating for the veteran's headache disorder and increased his disability rating to 30%. The claim of an increased rating for tinnitus is also granted, with a separate 10% evaluation effective June 10, 1999. However, the veteran does not have a compensable evaluation prior to that date.