Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional medical records. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and an adjustment disorder with anxious features are being reviewed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his bilateral tinnitus, finding that he was already receiving the highest possible schedular rating and that separate ratings for each ear were not assignable under current regulations. The Board also found no basis for granting extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has determined that there is no legal basis for a schedular evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent rating assigned for bilateral tinnitus. The veteran's claim was denied as the existing regulations do not allow for separate ratings for each ear.

The veteran's appeals for increased disability rating and earlier effective date for tinnitus were dismissed due to failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective March 16, 2001. The veteran is also entitled to an increased evaluation for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred in service due to noise exposure. The veteran's claims of hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy with non-specific T-wave changes have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the current version of Diagnostic Code 6260 does not allow for such ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including hearing loss in both ears, tinnitus, varicose veins, and a stomach disorder (peptic ulcer disease), were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to his service-connected knee disabilities, which cause loss of use of the lower extremities and require constant use of canes or a walker.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and labrynthitis (including fluid in the ears). The case is being remanded to obtain his complete service personnel records from the National Personnel Records Center to determine if he was exposed to acoustic trauma during ACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to noise exposure during his military service, warranting service connection.

The veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus, which he claims is related to noise exposure during active duty. The VA has requested an opinion on the etiology of his tinnitus but did not provide a clear determination regarding whether it was at least as likely as not related to inservice or postservice noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The Board also granted these claims, concluding that the current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current right arm injury residuals, hearing loss, or tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during service or due to any incident of service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied a higher rating for tinnitus, finding that the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent is already assigned and no additional evaluations are allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss in his left ear and tinnitus are related to service, with the right ear hearing loss being noted at entry but not worsening during service. The residuals of asbestos exposure claim is denied.