Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to be of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated, but he seeks higher evaluations. The Board finds that the current ratings are appropriate.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed and the case is being remanded for further evaluation of the veteran's hernia condition.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was increased to a 20% evaluation effective April 13, 2006. The issue of separate evaluations for tinnitus remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain with degenerative changes, service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to noise exposure during active service. The RO is instructed to obtain additional evidence and provide a supplemental SOC if necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and denied service connection for tinnitus. The veteran's PTSD is related to his active military service, while there is no evidence of a direct link between the current diagnosis of tinnitus and his service.

The veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned.

The veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 60%, which does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any regular substantially gainful employment.

The combined rating for the service connected disabilities is 60 percent, and they are not shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hearing loss, tinnitus, and postoperative residuals of a laceration on his right hand. The claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or acoustic trauma and that the current tinnitus is not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and back disorder. The Board found that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

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 denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin rash, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision also noted that new evidence was submitted to reopen a claim for skin rash but found it insufficient to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the veteran's claimed disabilities of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right arm/shoulder disability, and kidney disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including noise exposure. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including COPD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, and dermatitis of both hands, were not incurred or aggravated by military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of stapedectomy with vestibular impairment and vertigo, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss have been denied. The RO found that the maximum rating available under applicable diagnostic codes is already assigned.

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