Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2003

The veteran experiences bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that likely began during his active military service, and the Board finds it is related to his period of service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and readjudication due to failure to provide proper notice of the allocation of the burden of obtaining evidence necessary to support his claim.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board affirms the RO's decision to deny a compensable rating for left ear tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran's condition qualifies under direct service connection criteria.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The veteran's claim for earlier effective date for tinnitus was also denied.,The veteran did not have a clear claim for service connection for tinnitus prior to October 27, 1999.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied these claims on their merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is warranted under Diagnostic Code 6260 since March 1987. The Board concluded that separate ratings for each ear are not appropriate due to the nature of tinnitus as a single disease entity.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to noise exposure during service. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted as it is found to be related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical evidence and scheduling a VA audiology examination. The veteran's claim will be re-adjudicated after all necessary steps are taken.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for impotency due to diabetes mellitus, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus. The evidence did not establish current disabilities or show in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The case is being returned to the RO for additional development due to recent court rulings and to schedule VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate evaluations of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, finding that only a single 10% rating is authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board found no evidence of malaria during service or post-service, and the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not linked to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between service and these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to active service. Therefore, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service medical records and a need for additional examinations.

The veteran withdrew his claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus before the Board could make a decision.