Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disease secondary to diabetes, and eye disorder secondary to diabetes. The medical evidence did not support a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus, finding that the current 10% rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are due to in-service acoustic trauma.

The veteran is seeking separate 10 percent ratings for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records, is needed before a decision can be made.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 22, 2001 for a 20 percent disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that there was no evidence showing an increase in disability prior to February 22, 2001.

The veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to in-service acoustic trauma.,Medical evidence established that the veteran's PTSD is related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, stomach disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cellulitis and tinea barbae. The reasons are that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of cold injuries to the hands and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's claims are denied for increased evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus began during his active service, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, including exposure to loud noise during combat operations. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for hearing loss. The veteran's service-connected bilateral otitis media is currently noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the loss of his service medical records and the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service, respectively. Service connection was also denied for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as there was no evidence of aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in active service, warranting service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were related to his service, specifically noise exposure. The upper back disability was not diagnosed, and panic disorder was initially manifested during service.

The Board has received notification that the appellant wishes to withdraw their appeal, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to the veteran's military service, while no current diagnosis of tinnitus was established.