Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus was dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal prior to a Board decision on the merits.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that neither condition warranted a compensable rating or an initial rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of medical evidence linking his current disabilities with service, requiring further development including a VA examination.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were incurred in service due to exposure to acoustic trauma. The evidence supports a finding of entitlement for these conditions.

The veteran is granted a 10% evaluation for tinnitus prior to June 10, 1999, effective November 23, 1998.

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

The Board dismissed the appeal as to the issues of tinnitus, perforation of the tympanic membrane, and hepatitis due to the veteran's withdrawal of his appeals. The veteran was informed that service connection for hepatitis could not be granted because it is not shown to have been incurred in service.

The VA granted service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss with effective dates of September 18, 2000. The veteran is seeking earlier effective dates.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus related to service, and denied the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The highest schedular rating available for PTSD is 30 percent.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran was found not to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for his hearing loss, and there is no evidence of unemployability or inability to obtain substantially gainful employment solely by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant an initial compensable rating or a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, respectively. The claim for separate ratings for each ear was denied as VA policy and regulations require only one evaluation for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions regarding the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found no current disability related to the veteran's inservice head injury and concussion, thus denying service connection for residuals of a head injury with concussion manifested as memory loss.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to determine if the veteran currently suffers from a skin condition, hearing loss, or tinnitus. The claims will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diverticulitis is not related to his service-connected duodenal ulcer disease. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, perforated right eardrum, and tinnitus are being remanded as they require further development including a VA examination.