Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

The Board found that the grant of service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of July 25, 2002, based on the veteran's reported symptoms and diagnosis from his July 25, 2002 VA examination.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the provided evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's tinnitus and whether it is related to service. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent disability ratings for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is not service-connected due to pre-existing conditions at entry into service. The right ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service. Tinnitus is considered service-connected.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, it is not established that his current hearing loss is related to military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Meniere's syndrome and headaches, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to these service-connected disabilities.

The veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's exposure to noise during service is linked to his current findings of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal regarding a higher initial rating for PTSD remains pending.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a separate 10 percent rating for tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for service connection as they were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and that her tinnitus began several years after her discharge from active military duty and is not related to any incident of such service.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and his tinnitus is not service-connected.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the increased evaluation for service-connected tinnitus, and as a result, the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's bilateral tinnitus, finding that it is associated with his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart palpitations, tinnitus, and increased ratings for sinusitis with headaches and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a specialist's opinion on the etiology of hearing loss and tinnitus.