Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining corroborating evidence of alleged stressors and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service-connected disabilities for residuals of venous angioma in the left hemisphere, a conversion disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The veteran's claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to maintain substantially gainful employment despite his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.,Service connection for a psychiatric condition was also denied, with the examiner finding that the adjustment disorder with anxiety did not have its onset in service and was not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has ordered additional development of the claims due to incomplete records and need for medical examinations.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of low back disorder, service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and stomach condition were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating or service connection for these conditions.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The RO assigned a 50 percent rating for anxiety disorder and bilateral hearing loss, effective November 17, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure leading to current conditions. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left-ear hearing loss and a rating in excess of ten percent for tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not warrant such ratings based on the current schedular criteria.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound. The spouse does not qualify for SMC based on her own disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. As a result, both conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a lumbar spine injury, and skin condition of the right hand. However, the original claim for service connection remains denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is reasonably associated with his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the veteran's hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case is remanded for these actions.