Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

The veteran's appeal was denied because he did not file a timely notice of disagreement with the February 2002 rating decision.

The Board finds that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. Therefore, his claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent schedular evaluation for undifferentiated schizophrenia, TDIU prior to that date, and increased ratings for hiatal hernia and hepatitis were denied. The veteran also appealed service connection for PTSD and tinnitus but no SOC was issued.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for bipolar disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The earliest effective date that can be assigned is September 11, 2001.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are being remanded to allow for additional development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, including separate evaluations for each ear, has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral tinnitus is related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran did not have residuals of a fungus of the ear, otitis externa, including Meniere's disease with vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss as a result of his military service.

The veteran's tinnitus and bladder dysfunction were found to be related to service, while his hearing loss was not. The VA examiner opined that the veteran's chlamydia urethritis was acute and transitory with no current residuals.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, including as due to herbicide exposure, has been withdrawn. The case is remanded for further development regarding the issues of skin disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for defective hearing, finding that the veteran's current hearing loss is due to his in-service exposure to excessive acoustic trauma and resolves a doubt in favor of entitlement.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in service, granting his claims for these disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss disability in the right ear and tinnitus have been granted, effective September 12, 2002.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, the Board found sufficient evidence to grant service connection for tinnitus, which is considered a direct result of active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo and a compensable evaluation for hearing loss. The claim for a higher evaluation of tinnitus is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current shoulder or knee disorder, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.,Service connection was denied for bilateral shoulder and knee disorders due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his increased rating claims for bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.