Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear condition, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus polyps and deviated septum, bilateral knee arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, and PTSD, are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is reasonably shown to have had its origins during his period of active service and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service. The headaches are considered a residual of a head injury during service but the VA examiner found insufficient evidence to link this condition directly to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted, with the Board finding that his currently demonstrated tinnitus was due to service. The claim for an increased rating for hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected hypertensive blood pressure from August 28, 2002 to May 18, 2003. The claim for an increased initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left bundle branch block, defective vision, tinnitus, vertigo, and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss to the RO for further development.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found no evidence of a right arm disability incurred or aggravated during service, and concluded that the veteran's pre-existing right arm nevus was not aggravated by service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also denied as there is insufficient medical evidence to support their occurrence in service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for VA assistance in purchasing automotive and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant a higher rating, as they are currently rated at 10 percent each under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated in active military service and denied his claims.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's burn scars of the left hand were also denied an increased rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The claim for right ear hearing loss is granted as it had its onset during service. The claim for tinnitus is not granted as there is no evidence linking it to service. The rating for shrapnel wound scar on mandible with retained foreign body remains at 10 percent, and the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are rated noncompensably disabling.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's service connection claims, including VA medical examinations and opinions regarding his heart disorder and right little finger fracture.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to verify her periods of military service and obtain medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is not related to his service-connected rhinitis and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, eye disability, impotence, cramps of the lower and upper body, and hearing loss. The claim for athlete's foot was reopened but not granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they were not shown to be related to the veteran's military service or diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is attributable to noise exposure sustained during his active service.

The Board grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence both for and against these claims is in equipoise.