Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claim for a higher than 10 percent rating for bilateral tinnitus is also denied as separate ratings are not assignable.

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

The veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of his claims file.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence to support such a rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of tinnitus, a head scar from a traumatic injury, or a back scar from a tumor removal that are related to his active service. As such, the claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection granted in August 2001. The Board found that the March 1971 denial of his original claim was final, and there is no evidence at that time to support a finding of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus due to inservice noise exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus and hearing loss, finding that the claims were not supported by evidence showing a diagnosis or treatment during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, concluding that his honorable period of service ended in 1987 and any subsequent issues were not covered by VA benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding increased evaluations for various conditions of the veteran's right ear. The case is now remanded back to the RO for additional evidence and consideration.

The case is being remanded for further development of the veteran's medical records and a VA audiology examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

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

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO, and then returning it to the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is associated with noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the appellant's previously denied claim for service connection for tinnitus due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the RO for examination and review.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being sent back for additional evidence collection.