Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board found no evidence of a causal link between the veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss or tinnitus, thus denying service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection were denied. The VA rating schedule does not provide for an evaluation higher than 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, which the veteran already has a 10 percent rating.

For the period from June 13, 2001 to June 1, 2005, a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD was not warranted.,Since June 2, 2005, a 30 percent rating is warranted for GERD.,From March 6, 2000 through October 16, 2006, a compensable rating for bilateral athlete's foot was not warranted. Since October 17, 2006, the schedular requirements for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral athlete's foot have not been met.,There is no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus since March 6, 2000.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's case is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled videoconference hearing before the Board. He will be placed on the docket for a new hearing.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned a 10 percent rating, and the claim for a separate rating is denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral tinnitus, which he claims developed during his active duty in the artillery. The VA has requested a remand to determine if there is sufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the veteran's current tinnitus and his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, concluding that there was no evidence of a current disability and insufficient link to service.

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

The Board has found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected due to post-service noise exposure. However, the case is being remanded for an additional VA medical examination to determine if there is a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for chronic diabetes mellitus, chronic tinnitus, and chronic skin cancer of the face to include basal cell carcinoma. The veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is related to his exposure to acoustic trauma in service. The claims for PTSD and hypertension remain denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted effective July 13, 2004. However, due to a prior amendment to the rating criteria, an earlier effective date of July 13, 2003 is granted.

The Board denied separate ratings for each ear for the service-connected bilateral tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is the maximum available under current regulations.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus is denied as he already has the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatic heart disease, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus and granted it. The veteran served in Vietnam with noise exposure from artillery, leading to current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing condition in either ear. The VA examination did not confirm any pre-existing hearing loss prior to service.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development of medical records and employment history.