Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for autoimmune hemolytic anemia/cold agglutinin, peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus and herbicide exposure, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus due to herbicide exposure. The decision was based on lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus the veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that it is not factually ascertainable that the veteran's service-connected disabilities caused individual unemployability prior to November 19, 2002. Therefore, an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating is denied.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claim for an increased disability rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the hearing loss being aggravated by service and tinnitus being incurred in service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable or increased rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, including a need for another VA examination.

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

The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the veteran's current disabilities, and thus denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for PTSD, tinnitus, and a right leg disorder. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Type II diabetes mellitus with complications including diabetic peripheral neuropathy related to herbicide exposure, and asbestos-related respiratory disease. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for additional development, including a VA audiological examination to determine the presence of current disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board has determined that there is no current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulation, and thus the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active military service.

The veteran's appeal for a separate compensable evaluation for tinnitus in each ear has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the August 2003 RO decision awarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus was clear and unmistakably erroneous. The veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service as a construction worker.