Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

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

The Board has been notified by the appellant that they wish to withdraw their appeal regarding service connection for tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's dizziness was not incurred in service and is not proximately due to, the result of or aggravated by any service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for hearing loss. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence linking current tinnitus to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The appellant withdrew his appeal for separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear before the Board could make a decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, an immunodeficiency syndrome with chronic upper respiratory infections, sinusitis and bronchitis, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, post-traumatic stress disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The reasons were that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the veteran's service or radiation exposure.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and entitlement to a total rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision found that tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus has been received. The veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss due to a significant change in the law during the pendency of this appeal, requiring additional development.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The veteran's complaints of back pain during service were not supported by objective medical evidence at the time or within one year after separation from service. His current disabilities are considered to have a remote onset unrelated to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his complete treatment records and scheduling him for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities (ulcerative colitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) are sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU.

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

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as the law does not allow an effective date earlier than June 26, 2003 when his informal claim was received.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for reopening service connection for low back strain and hearing loss with tinnitus, and has not yet decided his claim for cervical spine disorder. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and to issue a Statement of the Case on the neck disorder.