Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2003

The veteran's bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus are rated at 50 percent combined, qualifying for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for the requested development.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus, finding that only one 10 percent evaluation is assignable for bilateral tinnitus under current regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of evidence, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records. The claims are also being considered on a new basis due to reopening.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral tinnitus and his request to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for conjunctivitis and a foreign body in the left eye. The decision also denied his claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of zero percent for bilateral hearing loss for the period from February 17, 1993, to October 23, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for separate 10 percent evaluations for bilateral tinnitus and service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding that separate ratings for tinnitus are not warranted as a matter of law.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected due to exposure to loud noises during his military service.

The VA granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but assigned noncompensable disability ratings. The veteran's malaria rating remains unchanged.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and service connection for tinnitus are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, hearing loss, or tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and thus denied these claims. The Board found no evidence of perforated eardrum.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities can be fully adjudicated.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an increased evaluation for his right ankle disability, were denied. The VA granted service connection for post traumatic stress disorder but assigned a lower rating than requested.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that his hearing impairment did not warrant a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU, finding that no evidence supported a prior effective date due to lack of timely submission of claims and unemployability during the year before November 28, 1997.

The VA determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus, and thus no further increase in rating is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to service-connected PTSD, and the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and pes planus with bilateral foot strain have been granted. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed in the decision summary.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service injuries. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to VCAA notification issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.