Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and the need for additional VA examinations. The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to his active military service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to its aggravation during active military service. The other issues of entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left hip, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is appropriate under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the appellant's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for residuals of an ear infection is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's request for separate evaluations of 10 percent for each ear for bilateral tinnitus, finding that he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus, finding that a maximum 10 percent rating was already assigned and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a chronic skin disorder(s), to include Seborrheic dermatitis, nummular folliculitis and Schamburg's condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a diagnosed disability. The VA audiologist opined that it is not likely that the veteran's hearing loss and/or tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and requesting additional medical evidence. The appellant's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered after this process.

The Board has determined that the veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus, which is a 10 percent evaluation. The disability does not present an exceptional or unusual picture as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus and a compensable rating for his bilateral mixed hearing loss disability were denied as there is no legal basis for higher schedular evaluations.

The veteran's appeal is for a higher disability rating for his service-connected post-traumatic syndrome, which includes headaches and tinnitus. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records, provide the required VCAA notice, and schedule the veteran for an appropriate VA examination to assess his current condition.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied. The VA found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on symptoms such as panic attacks more than once per week, impaired judgment and mood disturbances.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and conduct examinations.

The Board denied a rating in excess of the current 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that the maximum schedular evaluation has been assigned.

The Board found no evidence of a current back disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further assistance to verify his service stressors and determine if he has PTSD related to documented in-service events.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 100% evaluation effective from April 2000. The veteran withdrew his appeals concerning the other issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure being a significant factor.