Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post operative residuals of a back disorder, left shoulder disability, tinnitus, and residuals of right perforated tympanic membrane. The veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's PTSD with depression is found to be related to in-service stressful events, and service connection for this condition has been granted.,Bilateral tinnitus was found to have occurred during active service due to acoustic trauma exposure, and service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 30, 2003, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied. The Board found that no earlier effective date could be established due to lack of intent to file a claim within one year after the change in regulations regarding hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a valid period of military service from 1942 to August 7, 1946 and was not a POW for VA purposes. Therefore, his claims related to this time period are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The Board also found that the veteran did not have a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current conditions.

The veteran is seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected left eye condition and other disabilities. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and examinations.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, in and of themselves, are of such severity as to preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment requiring either mobility or merely a stationary setting.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to in-service noise exposure and considering the late onset and infrequent nature of his reported symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, dorsal kyphosis (Scheurman's disease), and tinnitus, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. As a result, he is granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 16, 2007 was denied. A 20 percent rating was granted from February 16, 2007.,Service connection for bilateral tinnitus was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for otitis media, as his current evaluation of 10% is considered the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus were more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and finds no evidence to support service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, thoracic spine disability, hypertension or heart disease. The claim for tinnitus is granted as it was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, and a disability of the cervical spine. The claims are currently under review.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of tinnitus or frostbite of the lower extremities that are related to his military service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and his claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied.