Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran does not have current diagnoses for his right and left foot disabilities. The claims of service connection for these conditions were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's increased evaluation claim for bilateral hearing loss and his separate ratings claim for tinnitus due to inadequate examination reports. The RO is instructed to provide proper VCAA notice, have Dr. B. interpret his September 2005 audiometric examination report, schedule a new VA audiological examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has ordered additional development of the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records and lack of medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, while his right toe fracture and rheumatoid arthritis were not. The decision is based on evidence showing a connection between these conditions and military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's tinnitus is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The case is being remanded for a VA examination and medical advisory opinion to determine the likely etiology of the veteran's tinnitus.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA audiology examination to assess the current severity of his left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues, and the service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy secondary to a service-connected low back disability will be deferred until the issue of clear and unmistakable error in the April 1998 rating decision is resolved.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of this development.

The veteran's appeal for a separate evaluation of tinnitus for each ear has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in March 2006.

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

The Board has restored service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, status post carcinoma of the right tonsil with impaired speech and decreased saliva function, and sarcoidosis. Service connection was initially granted based on presumptive exposure to Agent Orange during Vietnam service.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disability did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence showing it was aggravated by service. The Board also found that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service. The Board also noted that the veteran had not provided competent medical evidence linking his current conditions to service.

The Board finds that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are due to service, and grants service connection for these conditions. The left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of a hearing disability or tinnitus during service, and the Board finds insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between current disabilities and service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and declined to reopen the claim of low back strain due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but denied the claim for a lung disability due to exposure to asbestos in service.