Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, increased evaluations for left ear hearing loss and otitis media of the left ear, and a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error in their July 9, 1986 decision which denied restoration of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran appealed this denial to a court, which affirmed it. As such, the prior Board decision is no longer subject to revision on grounds of CUE.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence, including Social Security Administration records and VA audiology consultation records. The claims will be adjudicated again after the additional development is completed.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting an examination.

The Board found no evidence of bilateral hearing loss during or since service, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further investigation and examination to determine the validity of his claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear, and because of the veteran's death prior to this decision, the case has been dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no competent evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for increased evaluation of facial scars, service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for a headache disability. The facial scars are rated at 10 percent disabling. Tinnitus is considered incurred in service. A headache disability was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no competent medical evidence confirming the presence of tinnitus at any time during or after service.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus were denied. The RO awarded service connection for bilateral hearing loss with a 10 percent rating effective March 2002, but did not grant the requested higher initial rating or establish service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current medical diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus associated with his military service. Therefore, he is denied entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was denied as he had not met the schedular criteria for TDIU at any point prior to his last day of full-time work, January 16, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus did not have its onset in service or within one year of separation, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran does not have residuals of a back injury incurred in service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely than not caused by noise exposure during his military service, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the claims, including obtaining medical records and a supplemental opinion from a VA physician.