Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The veteran's tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations, and a separate rating for each ear is not available. Therefore, his request for increased ratings is denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for chronic sinusitis effective from October 25, 2004. The veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss disability, and a back disorder. The evidence did not establish new and material evidence for reopening any of these claims.

The Board dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no legal basis to grant such a request.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service. The veteran's statements about an ear injury during service will be considered in forming the opinion.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10% has been assigned.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the July 2005 VA examination, which did not address his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a skull fracture, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss. The veteran's current conditions are related to his military service or a service-connected disorder.

The Board found that the veteran does not have evidence of tinnitus, anemia, or a split in her abdomen attributable to service. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss and tinnitus, and thus the veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence demonstrating a throat disorder in service and no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied his claim of service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for tinnitus and asbestosis are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and that any current symptoms were not incurred during active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, asbestosis, chronic sinusitis, and a low back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The claim for an increased disability rating is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The veteran's complaints were not supported by medical records or VA examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding records and issues that need further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection on the merits. The veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.