Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board finds that, resolving doubt in favor of the veteran, the positive evidence is at least in a state of equipoise with the negative evidence. The C&P examination dated in November 2007 rendered the opinion that the veteran's tinnitus, while not directly due to acoustic trauma during service, was as likely as not due to the progressive worsening of the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence linking the conditions to in-service noise exposure.

The veteran's tinnitus was first manifested in service and is considered a result of disease or injury incurred therein. Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective October 31, 2003. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied due to lack of evidence showing a direct link to service. Service connection for hyperkeratosis of the hands and feet (due to Agent Orange exposure) was granted.

The veteran's request for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating available is already assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding no evidence of a chronic disease in service and no current disability related to active duty.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is likely due to service-related acoustical trauma, and he is granted service connection for this condition. For his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, a compensable evaluation of 10% was assigned.

The veteran's initial evaluations for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment or a higher evaluation based on the current criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and further examination is required before service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be determined.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset during active service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board finds that the veteran has a current diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus was not incurred during active service or due to herbicide exposure, and denied the 1151 claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

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

The veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the merits of these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, major depressive disorder, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the effective date for his service-connected lung cancer was set at June 7, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and visual field loss of the right eye, finding that there is credible evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also granted for a left hand disorder and a right knee disorder. However, further examination is needed to determine if these disorders are related to service.