Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, with the evidence showing a causal nexus between in-service noise exposure and current symptoms.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the joints and back, tinnitus, skin rashes (including as due to exposure to herbicides), and infections of the hands and feet (including as due to exposure to herbicides).

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, left hamstring disability, neck disability and low back disability was denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability in either ear.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his in-service combat noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current tinnitus is related to his service, including exposure to loud noises during combat duties as an artilleryman. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's current claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not supported by competent medical evidence showing a direct relationship to his military service. The Board also notes that there is no demonstrated continuity of symptomatology.

The veteran's right fifth finger disability is not manifested by limitation of motion of other digits or interference with overall function of the hand, warranting a noncompensable rating.,By extending the benefit of the doubt to the veteran, tinnitus was determined to be due to disease or injury that occurred during his period of active service.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there was no evidence linking his current condition to in-service noise exposure. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including whether these conditions are related to his military service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is already rated at its maximum allowable under VA regulations, and thus cannot be increased further.

The Board has denied the veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of ruptured eardrums and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is as likely as not attributable to military service, while tinnitus is less than likely related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by or related to premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) noted during service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his noise exposure during military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish current disabilities or a link to military service.

The veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to noise exposure during his periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran withdrew her appeal on the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the claim for an increased rating for a seizure disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.