Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current record does not contain sufficient medical evidence to establish a link between these conditions and the veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied the motion for revision of the June 2006 decision on grounds of clear and unmistakable error, concluding that there was no CUE in the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, and a compensable disability evaluation for otitis media of the right ear with punctured ear drum due to lack of evidence of current disabilities. The failure to report for a necessary VA examination without good cause resulted in denial of these claims.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C. The claim for pes planus was previously denied in November 1973 without new and material evidence being submitted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bilateral hearing loss disability, chronic tinnitus, and cold injury residuals of the hands and feet were denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic low back disability based on new medical evidence, but denied the tinnitus claim. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others were not.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, including a request to reopen based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior rating decision that failed to award separate compensable ratings for tinnitus in each ear. The maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus has been assigned.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing and compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeal for service connection for a right shoulder disorder due to lack of an issue in controversy.

The Board found that the veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to missing records from SSA and Workers' Compensation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The VA will obtain all relevant medical records and seek an opinion from a qualified medical professional regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and a need for further medical examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus, finding no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and for a TDIU award due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred. The veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, but not due to unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence for PTSD and failure to report for VA examinations.