Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board found no evidence of an earlier claim for tinnitus, and denied the veteran's request for an effective date earlier than August 21, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD, and his flat feet, Bell's palsy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all related to service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently evaluated as a maximum of 10 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claim for an increased disability rating for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's erectile dysfunction is causally related to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The veteran's claim for a separate schedular 10 percent disability rating for each ear for tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to award such, given the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no in-service noise exposure or diagnosis of these conditions. The Board denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed for both the tinnitus and left lower extremity shell fragment wound residuals issues due to inconsistencies in the medical records and lack of access to the claims file during previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete development of evidence, including obtaining VA medical treatment records from his surgeries and ensuring a statement of the case is issued.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and varicose veins are denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with noise exposure being a contributing factor in both cases.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected left ear hearing loss, and thus grants secondary service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss disability and an effective date earlier than February 28, 2003, for his tinnitus. The evidence does not support these claims as of the one-year period prior to the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left knee instability and degenerative joint disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10% is assigned.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, chronic bronchitis, recurrent tinnitus, ingrown toenails, major depressive disorder, temporomandibular joint syndrome, and residuals of avulsion fracture of the right distal fibula/tibia. The appeals are based on direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim, and concluded that there was no indication of tinnitus in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, a left hand condition, and granted service connection for tinea of the feet. The veteran's current diagnosis of tinea of the feet is established as related to his military service.,Service connection was not granted for tinnitus or a left hand condition due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

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

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but he does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus.