Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a medical examination.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss. The veteran's claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin in or are related to his service, including as a result of noise exposure. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including sleep apnea, hearing loss, tinnitus, flat feet, and cardiomyopathy, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board also noted that there was no evidence of aggravation of any pre-existing condition during service.

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as there is no competent medical evidence of record reflecting that the veteran's current tinnitus had its onset, or is related to, his military service.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating above 10 percent for service-connected bilateral tinnitus and a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has ordered additional development of the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and insufficient examination reports.

The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, and hypertension were denied as the evidence did not show a nexus to his service.

The veteran's duodenal ulcer with GERD is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher evaluation of 30 percent is warranted.,The issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, and entitlement to service connection for tinnitus are all marked as 'unknown'.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and further review.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not occur in service or due to military noise exposure, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a back disorder, dental problems, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The medical evidence does not support these claims.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal before a decision was made.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for asbestosis with severe combined ventilatory impairment and mild room air hypoxia was proper. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and a bilateral foot disorder characterized by corns and calluses is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after separation from service. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus started during his active duty service.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to conflicting evidence on his ability to work and the need for further examination.