Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to service or his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service or a service-connected disability, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure during World War II.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition has been reopened. However, his claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and hearing loss have been denied as there is no legal basis to assign separate ratings for each ear for tinnitus or increase the disability rating for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus had an onset during service and is related to noise exposure, granting service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a skin condition of the hands and feet, as well as his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for PTSD was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260, which limits a single disability rating for tinnitus regardless of whether it affects one or both ears. Therefore, no higher evaluation can be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased rating, and his tinnitus is already at its maximum schedular evaluation. Therefore, both claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability meeting VA criteria for a hearing loss or tinnitus condition. The Board also found that any potential noise exposure during service was less likely than not related to the veteran's current conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including exposure to noise during active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a sleep disorder secondary to PTSD, and sexual dysfunction secondary to PTSD. The appeals for reopening of claims for pes planus and lumbosacral strain were not considered as they had been previously denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to January 25, 2006, was also denied.

The veteran's asthma, hearing loss, and tinnitus were not shown to be related to his service. The Board denied the claims of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his military service.,The Board has also determined that the veteran's tinnitus is causally related to his military service or is associated with his sensorineural hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, conversion reaction, vertigo, myalgia, bronchial asthma, sinusitis, and gastritis are all denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board finds that the veteran's Meniere's disease causes dizziness and loss of balance more than four times per month, with hearing loss and tinnitus. Therefore, a 100 percent disability rating is granted.

The veteran's appeal on the issue of service connection for a left knee condition has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the appeal as it was not in the appellant's interest to proceed.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, skin cancer, pain and numbness of the right knee and great toe, pain and numbness of the left leg, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim was decided on the merits without any presumption based on Agent Orange exposure or other specific service connection theories.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and information from Social Security Administration.