Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during his active service, with some aggravation from post-service noise exposure. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's need for aid and attendance due to service-connected conditions, specifically his cardiomyopathy and bilateral hearing loss, has been established. He is now entitled to a higher rate of special monthly compensation.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the current regulations only allow one 10 percent rating for recurrent tinnitus, regardless of whether it is perceived in one ear, both ears, or in the head.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The RO is directed to request his missing service medical records (SMRs) from Ream Field, California, where he served on the flight line for 6-8 hours per day with jet airplanes. If these records are not obtained, the Board will proceed based on the evidence already available.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and an increased evaluation for tinnitus, finding that his service-connected conditions did not warrant higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen previously final decisions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and Social Security Administration records. The appellant is also to be afforded VA examinations to determine whether his chronic fatigue syndrome and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bilateral knee disorders with scarring, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, bilateral defective hearing, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media. The evaluation for labyrinthine disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service.

The veteran is granted special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of various joints and arrhythmia. He does not meet criteria for housebound status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during military service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that new evidence submitted since previous decisions supports these claims. The claim of service connection for hypertension was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran is granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to credible supporting evidence of his in-service experiences. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board found that new evidence submitted since the 1971 administrative determination supports reopening of the claim for service connection for hearing loss. However, the Board concluded that there is no evidence to support a finding that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including incomplete paralysis of the right ulnar nerve, limitation of motion of the cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a scar on the occipital region of the upper neck. The claim for malaria was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus related to his military service. The diabetes mellitus claim is also pending.