Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for otitis media, hearing loss with tissue scarring, and tinnitus. The Board found that the preexisting conditions existed prior to service and were not shown by clear and unmistakable evidence to have been aggravated during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to loud noise, thus establishing service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and urinary incontinence due to a radical prostatectomy, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board grants TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of access to service medical records and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right eye retinal detachment is related to service, and granted service connection for this condition. The other issues of left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer are remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus, currently rated at 10 percent, has been denied as there is no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations for each ear. The maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus has already been assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and in-service noise exposure. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a maximum rating of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for assigning separate evaluations for each ear.

The veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain his service medical records. The VCAA notice requirements have also been addressed.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, and no higher ratings are available under current regulations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and chronic tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of such disabilities during or shortly after active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the increased initial ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the arms and legs. The veteran's claims were not granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal by the appellant's representative.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and bilateral tinnitus are not related to service, including exposure to loud noises during active duty. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.