Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

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

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted by the Board in December 2003, but an effective date prior to December 11, 2000 is denied.,No earlier effective dates are granted as the earliest claim was filed on December 11, 2000.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities, including a psychiatric disability rated at 50%, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. Additionally, he requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability that is related to service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to February 17, 2004 and 10 percent thereafter. The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent.,The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board found that the evidence did not connect the veteran's right ear hearing loss with his time in service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service.

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a psychiatric examination.

The Board found no evidence of current tinnitus and concluded that the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus must be denied.

The Board found that the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they related to his military service. The appeal for these claims is denied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for separate schedular evaluations for tinnitus in each ear is without legal merit, as he is already receiving the maximum 10 percent evaluation allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide proper VCAA notice, and schedule a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's tinnitus.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin rash - tinea versicolor were denied. The claim for skin rash - tinea pedis and onychomycosis was granted based on evidence of current disability related to military service.

The veteran's tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and service connection for PTSD remains unresolved. The decision on increased evaluation for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and declined to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The decision is mixed, as some issues were granted (service connection for PTSD) while others were not (tinnitus).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sterility as secondary to radiation exposure. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link these conditions to service.