Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or worsening that could be linked to current conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 20, 2001 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus as it is not assignable under the law.

The Board has found service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, but the claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma sustained during military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be reviewed by an audiologist for further evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no link between current symptoms and military service.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The RO found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation or an increased rating, and there was no evidence of exceptional circumstances warranting extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right wrist disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

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 veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing impairment and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a hearing loss disability during or within one year after separation from service. The VA audiologist concluded that the veteran's post-service noise exposure was more likely than not responsible for his current hearing impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current tinnitus is unrelated to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the appellant does not meet the eligibility requirements for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hearing loss, tinnitus, anemia, sinusitis and strep throat, hypertension, or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). The claim for chronic nerve and joint pain is granted. No service connection is established for CFS.

The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent and the claim for an increased rating has been denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for PTSD or tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The tuberculous epididymitis is currently rated at 10%.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records, including from the VA hospitals in New Orleans and Washington D.C., as well as Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case will be reviewed again after this information is obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's incarceration for a felony conviction, which exceeded 60 days, justified reducing his disability compensation benefits to an amount equivalent to a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board found that a noncompensable rating is appropriate based on VA audiological evaluations.