Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that any current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the veteran's current tinnitus and his in-service acoustic trauma, resulting in a denial of service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence demonstrating a broken right ear drum or tinnitus was manifest during the veteran's time in service. The negative findings of the veteran's separation physical examination report and the June 2004 VA examiner's opinion are considered persuasive, thus denying entitlement to service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disability or service connection. The claim for increased rating for PTSD remains pending due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to recent treatment records and a need to consider evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including noise exposure during military service. The VA examiner concluded that the current conditions are more likely due to post-service occupational exposures and age-related changes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for cluster headaches, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and a 10% rating for tinnitus was denied as the earliest possible effective date is August 29, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and a need for proper VCAA notice.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, these issues must be remanded to obtain additional medical records and ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not established earlier than June 27, 2003.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was not established earlier than June 27, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims can be decided.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and the March 1987 decisions denying these claims are now considered final due to lack of a timely appeal. The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the veteran does not have tinnitus or hearing loss that is attributable to his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's current high frequency sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure to aircraft engine noise. The claim is granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for examinations of his bilateral deafness with bilateral stapedectomy and tinnitus aurium, and his left thumb and index finger condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis, asthma, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to asbestos or other conditions that could be linked to these disabilities.