Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for PTSD, left shoulder dislocation, tinnitus, and hearing loss were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred as a result of service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, and no further schedular ratings are allowed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active military service, nor may a sensorineural hearing loss be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have been incurred in service, while his tinnitus is not related to service.

The veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The veteran's appeal for separate compensable ratings of 10 percent for tinnitus in each ear has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not have a causal nexus to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that an effective date of March 10, 1976 is warranted for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for tinnitus.

The veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 7, 2001 for the assignment of a 10 percent disability rating for tinnitus.

The veteran's need for aid and attendance was not found to be due to service-connected disabilities, resulting in a denial of accrued benefits.

The veteran's tinnitus is already assigned the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260, and there are no exceptional circumstances. Therefore, a higher initial evaluation for tinnitus cannot be granted.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding no current disability and noting that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran requires regular personal care assistance from another person due to his service-connected disabilities, and therefore grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of service connection for a low back disability is dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeal.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure in service. His tinnitus and PTSD are also related to service.,Hypertension and acid reflux disease were not shown during service or as a result of service.