Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for further development, including addressing whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not rated higher than the maximum allowed under VA regulations, resulting in a denial of his claims for accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant a higher disability rating, as both conditions are currently rated at their maximum allowable levels.

The veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the May 2002 rating decision assigning a single 10 percent rating for tinnitus, as the law at that time was correctly applied. The veteran's claim of entitlement to separate ratings for tinnitus perceived in each ear is denied as a matter of law.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus did not manifest during service and is not related to military noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the spine, require daily personal health care services due to his limited mobility and high risk for falls. The Board finds that these needs are primarily attributable to his service-connected conditions and grants special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a heart condition, head injury residuals, mouth and gums shrapnel wound residuals, peripheral vascular disease due to cold weather exposure, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

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

The Board found that none of the veteran's service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his active military service.

The veteran's request for separate schedular disability evaluations for bilateral tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation authorized by law.

The Board has decided that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus need further examination and consideration due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or a link between current tinnitus and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a link between his current conditions and his time in service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as there was no evidence of onset during service or within one year post-service. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss and related tinnitus were more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including any in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for another VA audiological examination to determine the severity and etiology of the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus after review of his complete medical history.