Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2003

The Board granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for tinnitus and found that the veteran is entitled to a separate evaluation for right ear mixed hearing loss prior to February 8, 2000. The decision also addressed issues related to increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, costochondritis, and tinnitus. The veteran's claims of exposure to noise during military service were not addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for avascular necrosis of the hips due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty in Vietnam. The other claims remain pending.

The Board has determined that the case must be remanded to obtain additional records and for further medical examinations. The veteran's claims of entitlement to earlier effective dates, increased evaluations, and service connection are also being addressed.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine if service connection can be established for tinnitus, bilateral defective hearing, and a neck disorder. The appeal is currently pending due to the need for additional evidence.

The case is being remanded for further development, including medical examinations to evaluate the veteran's malaria, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is causally related to noise exposure in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities are denied as there is no evidence showing that his service-connected residuals of a head injury have resulted in significant functional impairment or marked interference with employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to service. The claims of entitlement to service connection for other disabilities remain pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service.

The Board finds that the veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus with left ear numbness, and back injury are not related to his military service.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to inadequate records and the need for further medical examinations.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left knee lateral meniscus tear residuals do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence to support a relationship with service, and tinnitus was also denied.

The veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and an effective date prior to January 31, 2001 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus were denied. The Board found that additional development was needed due to the VCAA.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his active service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical examination and records, particularly regarding right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues of reopening the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and establishing service connection for tinnitus are now pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for vertigo. The veteran is not entitled to higher disability ratings under the applicable criteria.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded for a VA audiological examination and review of records.