Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular evaluation available, and he is not entitled to separate evaluations for each ear.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the current version of Diagnostic Code 6260 prohibits a schedular rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, whether perceived in one ear or both.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have tinnitus that is attributable to his military service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service.,His refractive error, hyperopia, and presbyopia were determined to be congenital or developmental defects and thus not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected hearing loss disability and denied his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10% for tinnitus. The maximum rating available under VA regulations is already assigned.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria for these conditions. The Board also noted conflicting opinions regarding a possible nexus to service.

The veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, granted service connection.,Service connection for night sweats and sleep disturbances due to an undiagnosed illness during the Gulf War is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA audiological examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear disability and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for separate ratings.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) and post traumatic stress disorder, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability. The decision also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for tinnitus.

The veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for service-connected tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating available is 10 percent, regardless of whether it affects one or both ears.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and hypertension, as well as his claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus. The VA audiologist opined that the veteran's tinnitus was not related to noise exposure during service, while the private physician in 1995 associated it with sensorineural hearing loss. For hypertension, there is no evidence of its onset within one year post-service and the Board found no direct link to service or diabetes mellitus. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not preponderate against the veteran's claim to a current tinnitus disorder and his claim to an in-service injury to his ears. The hearing loss claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The veteran seeks service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are due to noise exposure during his military service. The case is being remanded for a VA audio examination to determine the etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus found.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation for two children, finding that VA received notice of their birth on February 4, 2005. The veteran argued he had previously notified VA of the births but was unsuccessful in getting his claims files transferred to the Phoenix RO.

The Board has determined that there is no valid claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus as the evidence does not show a diagnosis of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of all service-connected disabilities in determining whether they preclude employment.