Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for a lower back disability, tinnitus, and new and material evidence for bilateral hearing loss. The VA found no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has restored service connection for tinnitus from November 29, 1972 to November 29, 1992. The issue of an earlier effective date for a compensable evaluation for tinnitus prior to November 30, 1992 is deferred pending the restoration decision.

The veteran's claim for separate 10% ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the condition is assigned a maximum single 10% rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and tinnitus, finding that there was no current diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and insufficient evidence to establish a causal link between the service-connected cervical spine disability and tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service. The VA examiners concluded that the current conditions are more likely due to post-service noise exposure and natural aging.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for tinnitus is REMANDED.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher evaluation for her left ear disorder and service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed disabilities, including a right knee disability, low back disability, tinnitus, and right shoulder disability. The decision also addressed other issues such as dental surgery residuals and left foot fungus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), chronic sinusitis, bladder neck contracture with median lobe hypertrophy, bilateral defective hearing, chronic tinnitus, right and left knee disabilities, a skin disorder, unspecified dental condition, and a disorder characterized by loss of libido or sex drive. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred in service or as the result of exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, finding that there is no legal basis to award separate ratings for each ear for tinnitus.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss disability was denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, and the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability have not been met.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, and no higher evaluation can be granted under current regulations.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under DC 6260. There is no legal basis for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not attributable to the veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss. The remaining issues on appeal are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty. The VA examination report concluded that the veteran's hearing loss was not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for diabetes mellitus, did not reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence, and found that tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for tinnitus as a direct basis is denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, depression, hypothyroidism, an autoimmune system condition, and arthritis are all denied as secondary to service-connected alopecia areata and medications.