Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or aggravation that would warrant service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that they are not related to his active service or any incident therein. The claim for residuals of a fractured nose is pending as new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and finds no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The heart disability claim is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records from the veteran's Merchant Marine service. The veteran is also to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 1, 2004 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for service connection of a left foot condition. The RO granted service connection for these conditions but assigned the lowest possible disability ratings.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned and there is no legal basis to award a separate, 10 percent rating for each ear.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of an increase in disability severity since the initial grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after service. The Board concluded that any current hearing loss is more likely due to post-service factors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected, and therefore denied both claims. The initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains in effect.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 0 percent, the maximum available. The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the highest possible evaluation under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions within one year of discharge from service, and none are otherwise etiologically related to service.,Therefore, service connection for tinnitus, chest bone disability, collar bone disability, bilateral foot disability, or bilateral shoulder disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasis of the hands and did not reopen claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure and tinnitus, both of which are not related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the hearing loss being granted on a direct basis due to in-service acoustic trauma. Tinnitus is not service-connected as there is no competent evidence of current disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular rating available is 10 percent, and separate ratings for each ear are not allowed under current regulations.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back strain and tinnitus, but additional development is required before a final determination can be made on these issues. The veteran's chondromalacia of the right and left knees have been rated as 10 percent disabling prior to July 26, 2005.