Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The claims for cold injury residuals of the left shoulder and right hand, heart disability, and head injury (now claimed as scars resulting from shell fragment wounds) have been remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) due to a lack of current disability meeting VA criteria. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service.

The Board dismissed the motion for CUE because it did not meet the requirements set forth in Rule 1404(b). The veteran's claims were based on a direct service connection and no exposure basis was provided.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development of the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing proper notice regarding new and material evidence for his hearing loss claim.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and as such, the Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with the decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no medical evidence linking the condition to his active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO granted a 20% rating for bilateral hearing loss, but denied the rest of his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities of tinnitus, eye condition, right foot spur, low back disorder, and bilateral shoulder condition were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for a higher initial rating for left ankle disability is referred to the RO.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is assigned the maximum 10 percent rating, and no further increase in rating is granted.

The veteran is not entitled to VA financial assistance for the purchase of an automobile with adaptive equipment or for the purchase of adaptive equipment alone due to lack of eligibility based on the criteria set forth in the law.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current headaches are related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, frostbite of the feet, and tinnitus, are found to be sufficient to render him unemployable.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be decided.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a back disorder secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disorders, and the right and left knee conditions did not meet criteria for higher initial ratings.,Tinnitus was also denied as there is no legal basis for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues, and the case will be reviewed for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The other two claims related to tinnitus and chronic otitis media are not yet ripe for appellate review.