Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus, finding that only a single 10 percent rating is authorized under current regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current left otitis media or residuals of a left corneal abrasion, and decreased visual acuity due to refractive error. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, headaches, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran did not have a pre-existing condition that was aggravated by his military service.

The case is being remanded for further development to ensure all necessary evidence has been obtained and reviewed, including Social Security Administration records and employment information. The veteran will also be provided with an opportunity to complete a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a deviated septum, sinus disorder, right ear hearing loss, and arthritis of the feet. The tinnitus claim was granted with a 10% disability evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to noise exposure in service.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus is rated at its highest possible level (10%) and denied separate ratings for each ear, as only a single 10% rating can be assigned under current regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is the maximum available under current regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA audiologist examination.

The Board found that the veteran had acoustic trauma during service and a current diagnosis of tinnitus. The opinion established an etiological relationship between in-service noise exposure and tinnitus, leading to the grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for service-connected tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is the maximum available under current regulations.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's current hearing impairment is more likely due to age-related changes rather than noise exposure in service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew their appeal regarding the issue of separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The highest schedular disability rating provided for tinnitus is 10 percent, which the veteran is already receiving.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and service, nor any nexus with tinnitus. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back disorder and tinnitus are still at issue. The Board found that the criteria were not met for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to November 21, 2000, and a rating higher than 20 percent as of this date and thereafter. For tinnitus, the veteran is not entitled to separate 10 percent disability ratings as a matter of law. There was no CUE in the December 1994 rating by not granting service connection for tinnitus.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for bilateral tinnitus, PTSD, and traumatic arthritis of the feet were denied as there was no evidence to support a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.