Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of December 21, 1999. The Board found no basis to revise this effective date.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalization due to these conditions, thus preventing a referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for tinnitus, finding that the current rating criteria do not allow for separate evaluations for each ear and that there is no legal basis to grant such a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claims for tinnitus, dizzy spells, and increased rating for left knee disability are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings, initial rating, and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or a compensable initial rating for his right index finger flexion deformity or limited amnesia as a residual of left parietal occipital scalp hematoma. Service connection was also denied for PTSD and tinnitus.

The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for service-connected tinnitus, finding that the veteran's condition is already rated at its maximum allowable under current VA regulations.

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

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the rating for tinnitus in each ear, and as a result, the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with no doubt about their etiology.

The Board has denied reopening and granting service connection for tinnitus in the left ear as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus, an initial evaluation in excess of zero percent for bilateral hearing loss, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia. The decision is final.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness are not related to his active duty service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a compensable evaluation for bilateral otitis media with history of bilateral myringotomy, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, to include a separate 10 percent rating for each ear.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between current conditions and service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to insufficient information on the nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The veteran is seeking an effective date earlier than August 14, 1997 for a compensable evaluation of his tinnitus. The Board has determined that the earliest possible effective date for this rating was August 14, 1998.