Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2002

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is as likely as not related to his noise exposure during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and abdominal scars. The veteran was also found not to meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus began during service and granted service connection for it. For his right knee disorder, the Board determined there was no evidence of a current disability at the time of the June 1996 rating decision, but granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology from service to present. The initial rating for the right knee disorder prior to September 3, 1998, was granted as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with no presumption or secondary connection involved.

The Board has reopened the claims for pes planus, but denied the claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus as new and material evidence was not presented. The veteran's current conditions are considered to be service-connected based on direct service connection due to their onset in service or natural progression.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including vocal cord issues and hearing loss, all claimed as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to recent legislation regarding presumption of exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral tinnitus is a result of his military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for defective vision and bilateral hearing loss, finding new and material evidence. The claim for tinnitus is also granted as it is associated with the hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected tinnitus, fungal infection of the hands and feet, and patellar femoral pain syndrome and recurrent dislocation of the left knee warrant a 10 percent evaluation each. The maximum schedular evaluation for these conditions is 10 percent.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than November 30, 1992 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus due to a lack of evidence of a claim filed prior to that date.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The RO has expended sufficient efforts to obtain all relevant evidence necessary for an equitable disposition of the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected hearing loss of the left ear and tinnitus. The veteran was awarded noncompensable ratings for both conditions, with a compensable rating (10%) granted only for tinnitus after March 10, 1976.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 6, 1996, for a 10% disability evaluation for tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis for such a retroactive award.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and granted it, finding that there is a reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's original appeal was withdrawn, and new evidence did not establish a relationship between his current conditions and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as they occurred many years after service. The compensable rating for suppurative otitis media is also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his service, including noise exposure. The claim was denied.