Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already receiving the maximum evaluation of 10 percent, and no higher rating can be granted under current regulations.

The veteran's claim for separate compensable evaluations for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the revised criteria prohibit such evaluations.

The veteran's request for a higher rating for his service-connected tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, hearing loss in the right ear, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable due to their severity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a compensable evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including prostate disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD), gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, skin condition, and hearing loss disability have all been denied. The veteran requested withdrawal of the claim for prostate disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus arose during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for service connection, as well as his claim for a prostate disability secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, hearing loss and tinnitus were not granted earlier effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and potential exposure issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and he was granted service connection for this condition. The dental issue did not meet the criteria for service connection as a new disability due to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's ear problems (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) are unrelated to his period of service, or to any incident therein, including an in-service head injury. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection for recurrent urinary tract infections is denied as there is no current evidence of such a condition.

The veteran's claims for low back disability, skin cancer in the facial area to include the nose, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, tinnitus, dizziness, confusion, and headaches. The issue regarding PTSD was also addressed but not related to service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD to support his claim.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and no separate evaluations are allowed under current regulations.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for tinnitus. The evidence received since the March 2000 decision includes credible testimony from the veteran regarding exposure to acoustic trauma in service, which is sufficient to establish a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. However, the Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for Meniere's disease or otitis media. The residuals of right hand fracture claim remains pending as it was not addressed in the March 2000 decision.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, left and right knee disabilities, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of 70 percent for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, considering the impairment from the disabilities and his education and occupational experience.