Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to the RO for further actions.

The Board found that the veteran did not timely file a Substantive Appeal for his claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, resulting in denial of jurisdiction to consider these claims on their merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased evaluation for tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating was appropriate as per the revised VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left leg disability, or hepatitis C. The claim for a permanent and total rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes is remanded to determine if the appellant meets the requirements under VEBEA.

The Board denied payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits as the EAJA fees exceeded the amount payable under the attorney fee agreement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for tinnitus and PTSD, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection of a shrapnel wound to the left forehead. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus, including compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his military service.

The veteran's initial claim for service connection for tinnitus was received on July 18, 2001. The Board found that the effective date of his grant of service connection should be July 18, 2001.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The issues of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased rating for psoriasis are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability due to a lack of current disabilities or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right and left knee trauma, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss in his left ear, tinnitus, and PTSD are all service-connected. The pulmonary disorder is not considered a residual of pneumonia due to lack of chronic pathology. Residuals from the groin injury have also been granted as service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus, finding that the existing regulations do not allow for separate ratings for each ear. The maximum schedular rating of 10% is assigned for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of current disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively confine him to a wheelchair and preclude locomotion, meeting the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance.

The veteran's claims of increased evaluations and earlier effective dates for his service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus, finding that the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned and no higher evaluation is warranted under the applicable criteria.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before a decision could be made.