Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2003

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for various conditions. The case is now remanded for additional examination and consideration.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that exposure to noise in service is at least as likely as not the cause of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a loss of the sense of smell and chronic tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and the veteran's service records do not show any in-service noise exposure. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for Service Disabled Veterans' Insurance (RH) under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1922(a) due to his nonservice-connected cervical disc disease and coronary artery disease, which exceeded the required 'good health' criteria.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's conditions began many years after his active service and were not caused by any incident of service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification in accordance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The veteran's appeal on the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, neck stiffness, facial numbness, leg problems, and urinary tract issues are all service-connected as residuals of an in-service head injury.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for left arm pain with sensory changes of the fingers, which is equivalent to the combined rating sought by the veteran's representative. The claim for an increased (compensable) disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as there is no evidence that the current noncompensable rating does not adequately reflect the severity of the condition. A separate 10 percent evaluation has been granted for tinnitus, which is found to be related to service.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for tinnitus, but denied an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent for left ear otitis media.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues and evidence. The appeal is currently remanded for additional consideration.

The veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for service-connected dermatophytosis of the hands, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure, while his left ear hearing loss is not a compensable disability.

The veteran's request to reopen his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause shown.

The Board has determined that the evidence supports service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding it at least as likely as not related to military service.