Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination. The examiner will assess whether the veteran has vertigo related to his service-connected disabilities and determine if he is unemployable.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disability related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO in Portland, Oregon for scheduling a hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claim for an increased disability rating is denied as there is no legal basis to assign a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to exposure to acoustic trauma during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the appellant did not have current right ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards. The claim was denied.

The veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and his sinus disability was not related to service exposure. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has found that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, severity and etiology of the veteran's ear-related disorders. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully consider the veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining missing Air Force medical records and seeking alternative sources of evidence. The VA will also obtain any relevant treatment records from private physicians and facilities.

The veteran's tinnitus disability is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.,His bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating based on current VA criteria.,Residuals of removal of foreign objects from his left eye do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,There is no evidence to support service connection for a gastrointestinal disability or low back disability.,The veteran's low back and gastrointestinal disabilities are not related to his active duty service.

The veteran's tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis to award a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest within one year of his separation from active duty, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus from November 1991 to November 1999. The veteran is also notified of his right to submit additional evidence and argument.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The initial compensable rating claim was also denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis B and C, hearing loss of the left ear, tinnitus, increased rating for left varicocele, and increased rating for right inguinal hernia scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability, tinnitus, or bilateral varicose veins that were incurred in service. The evidence is mixed with respect to whether any current conditions are related to service, but the preponderance of the evidence weighs against finding that they were incurred during service.

The veteran died of chondrosarcoma, and the Board is remanding the case for further development to determine if his service-connected conditions contributed to his death or accelerated it.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the evidence, including PTSD verification and examination for hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and memory loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.