Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, bilateral tinnitus, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss, and service connection for hypertension and post concussion syndrome with headaches and short term memory loss were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or symptoms immediately following service, and the current condition was not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to treatment at a VA Medical Center, and an increased disability rating for post-traumatic stress disorder with depression.

The veteran's claim for separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the maximum rating of 10 percent is already assigned under the applicable regulations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding of a relationship between these conditions and the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD/emphysema and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for COPD/emphysema and that there was no evidence linking either condition to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability or that such conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial rating and earlier effective date for service connection was denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent had already been assigned, and there was no evidence to support an earlier effective date.

The appeal was dismissed due to the veteran's death before a decision could be made.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis and no evidence linking any symptoms to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as the conditions were not shown to be related to the veteran's active military service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, loss of left kidney, erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The Board concluded that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not caused by his service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service or for many years after, and a VA examiner opined they were more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to the RO for further development.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him permanently bedridden, and he is not confined to his home by the service-connected disabilities. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased disability evaluation for stomatitis.

The Board determined that the appellant's claims for service connection and an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension were not supported by the evidence of record.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, tinnitus, and bilateral hip disability were denied as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant was denied because the evidence did not show that he had loss or loss of use of at least one lower extremity, which is required to establish entitlement.