Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The RO denied service connection for tinnitus, finding that the previously denied claim had not been reopened by submission of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current tinnitus and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate 10 percent evaluations for each ear for bilateral tinnitus, finding that such a rating is not allowed under current regulations.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the maximum rating available for tinnitus, whether unilateral or bilateral, is 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence received after the RO's initial consideration. The appellant's claims of increased ratings for service-connected hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including stressor verification and VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that it was less likely than not that these conditions were incurred during service.

The Board has found that the veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not due to noise exposure in service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus and service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, left ankle, and right ankle conditions. The appeal is based on a direct service connection theory.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent evaluation is appropriate as per VA regulations and precedent opinions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema and lung cancer due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The right lower leg scar is granted as service-connected, but the remaining claims are denied.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his low back disability and left ear tinnitus, as well as service connection for bilateral hearing loss, maxillary sinusitis, and migraine headaches. The claim for a right ankle disability was denied, as were those for a left ankle disability, and a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus, finding that he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation allowed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a noncompensable evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an initial compensable evaluation. The issue of service connection for tinnitus remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus that could be linked to his military service.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected left hip fracture and seeks service connection for various conditions including lung disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and dental disability.,The veteran claims he has a lung disorder that originated in service. The VA requested and received treatment records from the Newington VAMC for the period prior to 1999. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.,The veteran contends that his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure, but no specific exposure basis has been provided. The RO should obtain treatment records from the Newington VAMC for the period prior to 1995 and arrange for a VA examination of the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.,The veteran claims that his dental disability is related to his service-connected loss of teeth numbers 7 through 10. The RO should obtain treatment records from Dr. L. Lockerman, if available, and arrange for a VA dental examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any dental disability.,The veteran seeks service connection for dental disability (other than loss of teeth numbers 7 to 10). The RO should obtain medical records from Dr. L. Lockerman and arrange for a VA dental examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any dental disability.

The veteran's claim for separate initial compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the law mandates a single 10 percent evaluation for bilateral tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been assigned.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is manifested by constant symptoms in each ear, and the claim for separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear is without legal merit.