Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 29, 1999, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and seizure disorder remain pending.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 24, 1998 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to a potential issue with clear and unmistakable error in a prior decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and residuals of fracture, right hand as there is no medical evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and residuals of frostbite. The right shoulder disorder and right hand disorder claims were not addressed as they are related to a pending TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left rib fracture, right knee injury, third degree burns on the hands and face, laceration of the chin, tumor on the right side of the rib cage, chronic respiratory disability, cardiovascular renal disease (hypertension), tinnitus, musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and neck, and chronic stomach pain. The decisions are final based on evidence from service records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for an increased rating for dysthymic disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically exposure to acoustic trauma from artillery during active duty. As a result, these conditions have been granted as being incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant an increased evaluation, while his lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The VA granted a 10% rating for tinnitus effective September 24, 2000. The veteran requested an earlier effective date of September 18, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that December 29, 2000, was the appropriate effective date as it is the date of receipt of his claim.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus in 1988, citing the lack of evidence linking it to military service and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his service and granted service connection. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to noise exposure during active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise during active duty. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for VA outpatient dental treatment and payment or reimbursement of private dental expenses due to lack of evidence showing a service-connected disability, medical emergency, or other qualifying circumstances.