Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal for a scheduler rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to award a separate schedular evaluation.

The veteran is entitled to a higher 30 percent rating for his imbalance and dizziness, but no greater. He is not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic otitis media, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims, and no medical nexus between the claimed conditions and service was established.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a left elbow disorder as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or for many months thereafter, and the weight of competent evidence did not relate them to active duty. The claims were also denied due to lack of medical nexus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence supports a direct link between the veteran's military service and his current condition.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, as the evidence did not show that it was related to any disease or injury in service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, but denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sebaceous cysts were not addressed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and hypertension as there was no evidence of a disability in service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the veteran's military service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing before the Board at the Cleveland, Ohio office.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to September 11, 2006 and an evaluation in excess of 70 percent from that date. The claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was found without legal merit.

The Board found that the veteran's assertion of a low back injury during service is not credible, and there is no medical evidence indicating that his currently diagnosed low back disorder is related to service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from VA, Social Security Administration, and Office of Worker's Compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of worsening since the effective date of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for otitis media and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to military service.

The appeal is remanded to obtain a medical opinion on the etiology of tinnitus.