Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2002

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was not received prior to August 2000, and therefore the effective date cannot be earlier than that.

The RO granted service connection and noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and granted service connection and 10 percent rating for tinnitus. The veteran appeals for higher ratings.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to his request for a travel board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO after the scheduled hearing.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is February 23, 1988.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss or an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they related to his military noise exposure. The Board found insufficient evidence to support a finding of current disability due to service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38 of the United States Code because his service-connected left knee disability and tinnitus did not render him unsuitable for employment in his previous occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for these evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are of service origin, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected tinnitus, finding that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board has determined that sufficient evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, and it is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to service, and his reactive airway disease was not incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, a skin disorder, and a prostate disorder. The Board found no current diagnosis or competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of additional impairment warranting a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and chronic right ear infections with dizziness and tinnitus, as well as compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for disability resulting from VA surgery (thyroidectomies) for left and right thyroid goiters.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the examiner opining that these conditions are related to noise exposure during military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum allowable rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule has already been granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service. The veteran did not receive treatment for these issues until many years after discharge.

The VA denied an increased rating for tinnitus, finding that the disability is already rated at its maximum level.