Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records from the Rhode Island Department of Public Health. The veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or residuals of a cold weather injury to the legs.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from tinnitus and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against a grant of service connection for tinnitus in the right ear and scoliosis at the lumbar spine. The veteran's hearing loss disability was not manifested during service, nor can it be presumed to have been incurred therein. Scoliosis was first noted after separation from service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board finds that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, warranting service connection. The decision grants entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as both conditions are rated at zero percent under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current eye disorder, ear disorder, or tinnitus that is associated with his period of active service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

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 veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for bilateral defective hearing. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to military service, and concluded that the veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his hearing loss.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board denied the claim for accrued benefits as there was no pending claim at the time of the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus and decreased vision were not incurred in or related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The Board also found that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish current disabilities for which service connection could be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further examination and medical opinion regarding his claimed hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have tinnitus, an upper back disorder, or a bowel disorder as a residual of service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, as there is no competent medical evidence linking his claimed conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims that his hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by service, including exposure to loud noise during military service. The preponderance of evidence is against both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have therefore denied all claims for service connection.