Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest within one year of service discharge, and there is no presumption for service connection. The VA examinations found his hearing to be within normal limits for VA purposes and his tinnitus was 'less likely than not' due to military noise exposure.

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

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The RO has remanded to obtain additional VA medical records and ensure compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals of the issues for an effective date earlier than July 19, 2001, for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded to the RO for preparation of a Statement of the Case.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 28, 1997, for a total rating due to unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that under VA standards, the veteran became unemployable during the year prior to his application.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, and hidradenitis suppurativa and his service. The veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, residuals of a right elbow injury, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and determined that new evidence supports this reopening. However, the evidence does not establish a link between current tinnitus and military service.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The RO awarded service connection for both conditions effective June 5, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left shoulder impingement syndrome on a secondary basis to the veteran's service-connected herniation of C6-7 status post partial discectomy. The veteran is also entitled to separate ratings for his left shoulder condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been denied as there is no competent evidence showing current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 14, 2005 for the grant of service connection for a left inguinal hernia.,However, the claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to procedural and substantive reasons, including scheduling a VA examination at the Sepulveda VA facility.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for himself or leave the house without assistance, and he is therefore eligible for special monthly compensation on account of need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided that further development is needed due to insufficient medical evidence linking the veteran's reported conditions to his military service. The appeal will be returned for this purpose.