Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the veteran for an audiological examination to evaluate his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as they are not of such severity that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability did not originate in service and is therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of measles, memory loss, respiratory disorder (claimed as secondary to tobacco use), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and osteoporosis were all denied. The VA found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Meniere's disease with endolymphatic hydrops, bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus. The appeal is dismissed as the law precludes assignment of such a benefit.

The veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits of his claims for hemorrhoids, arthritis of the right arm and right elbow, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension has been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, increased rating for hearing loss in his right ear, and a compensable disability evaluation for a scar from a left knee laceration. The claim to reopen for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear was also denied.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was denied, and the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of recent audiological examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are currently rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations, so any further increase is not warranted.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for low back disability and bilateral tinnitus was denied. The veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus, which is the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and increased ratings for low back strain and acne rosacea. The veteran was not shown to have a current disability related to these conditions, and there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance due to their severity and nature.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of any earlier unadjudicated formal or informal claims and that the effective date should be from the date entitlement arose.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle and foot disability, tinnitus, and an increased evaluation for his low back disability were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these claims.