Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral tinnitus and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for hearing loss or 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during active duty. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran did not have these conditions prior to service entrance and that they are more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities as defined by VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and right ear sensorineural hearing loss, and the claim for corneal scars was also denied. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The undifferentiated somatization disorder manifested by sleep disturbance and memory loss was also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has found that service connection for tinnitus is warranted, given the veteran's combat exposure and credible testimony of continuous ringing in his ears since service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a skin disability, to include as due to herbicide exposure, were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of tinnitus and noted the lack of in-service complaints or treatment for any skin conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his period of active duty service for any of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, including left and right knee injuries, left and right ankle injuries, hepatitis, head injury, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Board has also determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between these disabilities and his period of active duty.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation has already been assigned.

The veteran's claims for headaches, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic bronchitis were denied as there is no current diagnosis of a chronic condition related to service. The veteran was not exposed to noise trauma in-service or post-service that could be linked to his conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder or tinnitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.,Regarding the low back disability claim, new evidence was submitted but it did not establish continuity or a relationship between the current condition and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for separate 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus and service connection for Meniere's syndrome, including as secondary to service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran is not entitled to additional compensation for his tinnitus or service connection for Meniere's syndrome.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and adjudication, including consideration of claims of clear and unmistakable error in prior rating determinations. The issue of Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35 remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is not reopened.,Service connection for reduced testosterone associated with herbicide exposure from March 1, 2007, was granted with an evaluation of 40 percent effective March 1, 2007. The veteran's prostate cancer status post radical retropubic prostatectomy remains at a 100 percent rating.,The veteran has filed a notice of disagreement on the issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for reduced testosterone.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is service-connected. The evidence shows no in-service complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of these conditions.