Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition with radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned under the applicable VA regulations and criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations have been remanded to the RO for a hearing and further review. The case will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to military service.,PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner found the veteran did not meet the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD.,Retinal floaters, headaches, memory loss, and cognitive impairment are not attributable to military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA audiological examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claims. The Board also found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a current disability or link to service.

The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, alleging exposure to noise during military service. The case is remanded due to the need for a VA nexus opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the effective date of service connection for these conditions, were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support granting an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss or a higher rating for his tinnitus. Additionally, it was determined that there is no legal basis to grant an earlier effective date than November 20, 2002 for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran did not have hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, or tinnitus during service or within one year of separation. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is properly evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and a rating in excess of this is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, degenerative changes consistent with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis or gout of the left wrist, peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and concluded that the current conditions are not related to military service. The veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, which render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions was denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability evaluation was 40 percent and did not meet the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

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