Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular evaluation available, and a separate evaluations for each ear are denied.

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 rating is denied.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum disability rating of 10 percent, which is the highest evaluation available under the applicable rating criteria. Therefore, there is no legal basis for an increased evaluation.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to noise exposure during service. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board has requested additional evidence and is remanding the case to the RO for review. The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD manifested by depression due to a lack of competent evidence of these conditions during or after his active military duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of current hearing loss in the right ear for VA purposes and denied service connection for hearing loss of the right ear. The VA also found insufficient evidence to establish a link between the veteran's tinnitus and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is as likely the result of noise exposure during service or associated with his service-connected hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in active military service. The only competent clinical opinion on file is against the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is needed to clarify the etiology of the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus, as the existing evidence does not provide sufficient information on this matter.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including a VA otolaryngologist's opinion on whether the veteran's current ear infections are related to his service.

The Board has denied both the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and carpal tunnel syndrome and familial tremors of the right hand, finding that there is no competent evidence to support these claims.

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

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor can they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence does not establish continuity of symptomatology since service discharge.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with a 10% rating effective February 25, 2004. The Board found that the veteran did not timely respond to an earlier request for information and thus abandoned his previous claims.