Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral tinnitus is attributable to acoustic trauma during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including plantar calluses with hallux valgus and arthritis of the metatarsophalangeal joints of both feet, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a scar of the right thigh, do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The veteran's current left ear hearing loss is considered to be related to his in-service noise exposure as a jet engine mechanic.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for service connection purposes and is denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied as there is no provision for separate ratings for each ear under VA regulations.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has remanded the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right ear tinnitus due to a lack of medical records from his period of active duty for training. The claims are currently denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Board found no evidence of in-service tinnitus or continuity of symptomatology following service, and the only medical evidence on file is against the claim. The veteran's statements made during service are considered more credible than his current assertions.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus did not result from service exposure to loud noise, and denied his claim for service connection. The PTSD claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence of a verified in-service stressor.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The Board finds that the current diagnoses are not related to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no competent medical evidence showing a relationship between his current tinnitus and military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus for which service connection can be granted. The left ear hearing loss is presumed to be related to service, but there is no evidence of a skin disorder related to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's service connection claim for bilateral tinnitus is granted as the evidence supports that his current condition started during service.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss, tinnitus, ear pain, or dizzy spells. The veteran's complaints were associated with otitis media that resolved with treatment.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a need for further examination.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected tinnitus was denied as the condition is already rated at its maximum level.

The veteran's appeal is dismissed as no justiciable case or controversy is before the Board at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for cold injury residuals, including tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the toenails bilaterally. The veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected due to lack of evidence relating it to service or noise exposure. His fungus infections are found to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, resolving all doubts in favor of the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran did not have tinnitus during service or now, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA disability evaluation guidelines.