Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

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

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic stomach disability, left ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, foot disability, left shoulder and arm disability, sinus disability, bronchial asthma, or an acquired psychiatric disability that was incurred in service. The veteran's complaints were generally attributed to reflux disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media were not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The evidence does not support a grant of service connection for these disabilities.

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

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service, and the VA examiner determined that any current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, a right knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are all denied. The RO is instructed to schedule the veteran for VA examinations to determine if any current conditions are related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 15, 2001 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted. The effective date is set at June 15, 2001.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus remain on appeal.

The veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service and he has left ear hearing loss that was aggravated by service. Tinnitus in the left ear is proximately due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection of open angle glaucoma as he withdrew his appeal on this issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation or entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hypertension or hemorrhoids, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claims of service connection for tinnitus and psychiatric disability are also addressed in this decision.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus in each ear was denied as the maximum rating allowed under the applicable diagnostic code is 10 percent. The claim of service connection for depression was also denied.

The veteran died during the appeal process, and therefore the case has been dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service.,There is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right foot pes planus and tinnitus are related to service, while her left foot disability is not. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a lacerated left ring finger and a thyroid condition, to include as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation, must be remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or a current disability related to military service.