Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for a left knee disability prior to May 15, 2000. The claim for an increased evaluation for the left knee disability from February 7, 2007 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of asthma or tinnitus, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is about the effective date for a separate 10 percent rating for tinnitus, which was previously granted in November 1997. The Board has found that there was clear and unmistakable error in this decision and has ordered an effective date of September 10, 1996. However, the veteran is requesting an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinea pedis/onychomycosis (claimed as jungle rot).

The Board has denied all service connection claims as the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service and concluded that the current conditions are not related to service. The back condition was also not linked to service, as there is no medical nexus provided by competent evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and ensuring compliance with notification requirements.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, tinea cruris, and migraine headaches due to a lack of competent medical evidence showing current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and assigned an effective date of July 10, 1989. The veteran's claim for a schedular rating in excess of 10 percent for his tinnitus is denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for PTSD and tinnitus due to potential issues with confirming in-service stressors and obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions. The veteran is required to provide additional evidence or information, including a request from JSRRC for verification of alleged stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or caused by active military service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned under Diagnostic Code 6260, which does not allow for separate ratings for each ear.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus was not caused by VA medical treatment, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA audiological examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed current tinnitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to active service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private medical center on January 4, 2004 is denied as there was no emergency condition that would have been hazardous to life or health if delayed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disability are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examinations did not find any current disabilities related to military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the left wrist disability or tinnitus to his service, and there was insufficient medical evidence to support a secondary service connection claim for the right wrist disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected tinnitus and chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, finding no legal basis for an increase in either rating.