Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his case.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision found that there is no competent medical evidence of current disability related to service, specifically noting a lack of abnormal findings in service and the absence of evidence showing PTSD after active duty.

The Board found that the veteran did not have an employment handicap and thus, basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation training was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, right hip injury, back injury, allergies and sinus problems, and joint pains and arthritis. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, tinnitus, and residuals of toe fractures. The claims for higher initial ratings for knee disabilities (left knee status-post meniscectomy with chondromalacia of the patella, right knee strain with chondromalacia of the patella) and ankle sprains were also denied. The claim for a compensable initial evaluation for hypertension was not addressed as it is not related to service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected bilateral tinnitus has been denied as there is no legal basis to award a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence connecting these conditions to his time in military service.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's naval service and his current tinnitus, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a hearing examination to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating is already assigned.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including verification of periods of active duty for training and inactive duty training, obtaining legible copies of service medical records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to military service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notification.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied the claim for service connection. The hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran incurred tinnitus in service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of a compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current neuropsychiatry condition, right knee condition, low back condition, onychomiscosis, hearing loss, or tinnitus related to service. The veteran's psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis are currently rated at 0 percent, while his epidermal cyst is also rated at 0 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within one year after separation. The VA examiner opined that it was not as likely as not that hearing loss occurred during or as a result of military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and therefore he is not entitled to a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and no higher rating can be assigned.