Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for bilateral tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating was appropriate under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending requests for additional evidence. The appeal is currently remanded and will be reviewed by the RO.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a causal relationship to in-service noise exposure. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as the veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran claims service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are currently shown. The Board notes that the veteran served during two periods of active duty but was discharged under other than honorable conditions from his second period. The RO will arrange for a VA examination to assess the current status of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not warrant an initial compensable evaluation, as his pure tone thresholds were within noncompensable limits.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily her degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, preclude her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the appellant's low back disorder and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor could they be presumed to have occurred within one year of discharge. The evidence did not support a finding that the in-service accident caused his current conditions.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities combine to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for initial compensable ratings for hearing loss of the right ear and tinnitus, as well as his request for an effective date prior to February 27, 1992. The appeal was dismissed due to lack of evidence supporting a claim for tinnitus prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of degenerative joint disease in the right knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and denied an effective date earlier than July 9, 1996, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including emphysema and COPD, as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis. The veteran's tinnitus claim is remanded for further review.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo are being remanded due to the need for a VA audiologic examination.

The veteran was not rated as totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities at the time of his death, and therefore is not eligible for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran's tinnitus was found to have begun during his military service and is therefore granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service medical records and a VA audiological examination.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues, including an audiometry examination for tinnitus. The case is now remanded back to the RO for additional development.