Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board found that any current Mônière's disease was not caused or chronically worsened by the veteran's service-connected conditions, including chronic bilateral otitis media or externa, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness/vertigo associated with chronic bilateral otitis media or externa, and headaches. Therefore, service connection for Mônière's disease is not established.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The right shoulder disability and residuals of pneumonia claims are also denied.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Joseph's Medical Center on April 24, 2005 were denied as the treatment was for a non-emergent condition and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board found that the veteran's current tinnitus did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for tinnitus.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of this claim as it is no longer in a jurisdictional state.

The veteran's service connection for allergic rhinitis, claimed as sinusitis, was denied.,PTSD was granted with a 30% rating from June 30, 2003 through March 2, 2004 and a 10% rating from March 3, 2004 to October 29, 2006. The effective date for service connection was not granted.,Tinnitus was denied as an initial compensable rating.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, finding no legal basis for such determinations.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as they were first noticed many years after service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in active military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. There is no legal basis for an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an increased rating of 10 percent or higher for bilateral tinnitus, as Diagnostic Code 6260 does not permit separate ratings for each ear and only allows a maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent.

The veteran is seeking service connection for several conditions, including left eardrum perforation, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right inguinal hernia. The Board has ordered additional examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he currently suffers from these conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for records from the Temple Police Department and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, assigning a single 10% rating effective October 2003. The veteran's request for higher ratings was denied.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is a preponderance of evidence supporting these conditions are related to active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic skin disorder, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a disorder characterized by 'tremors' were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service. The Board also found that the current manifestations are not related to Agent Orange exposure.