Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including avascular necrosis of the hips and knees, a left knee disorder, low back disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral foot blisters. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that the claimed stressors occurred during service or were related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have tinnitus as a result of his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal regarding tinnitus has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claim for hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic asthma and allergies, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and malaria have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for asthma and allergies. Service connection was not established for hemorrhoids or tinnitus. Malaria is recognized but with no ascertainable residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's tinnitus and whether it is related to service or his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, skin disability (including tinea pedis and manus), and bilateral hand neuropathy. The August 18, 2004 VA examination related to Agent Orange exposure is missing from the record.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a fungal infection of the feet as there is no competent medical evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and a review of medical records.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus meeting VA criteria for a disability. The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support the presence of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to procedural errors in previous communications and a need to obtain additional evidence, including service personnel records and stressor statements.

The Board has found that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to ambiguities in the audiological findings. Further development is needed, including a new VA audiologist examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran sustained bilateral hearing loss as a result of active military service, and his tinnitus is also related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current right ear tinnitus with loss of balance was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bilateral sensorineural hearing loss or tinnitus that is causally related to his military service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and tinnitus from a head concussion are being remanded due to the lack of available service medical records. The VA needs to conduct further development, including searching for alternative sources of information and obtaining mental health ward records if necessary.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 13, 2000. The claim for an increased rating prior to June 27, 2003, is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during service, granting service connection for both conditions.