Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the back, peptic ulcer disease, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, essential hypertension, and PTSD were denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted with a current evaluation of 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure, while his left and right knee disorders are also related to service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing impairment and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma sustained during active military service, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is service-connected, as it was likely caused by noise exposure during active service. The issue of service connection for tinnitus remains unresolved.

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

The veteran's claim for service connection was denied, and he died without having a pending claim or existing rating that would qualify him for accrued benefits.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's service connection claims are being remanded due to the loss of his service medical records and for further development, including VA examinations.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, and therefore he cannot receive a separate 10 percent rating for each ear.

The veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for his service-connected recurrent tinnitus is denied as the maximum allowable rating of 10 percent has already been assigned.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is assigned a maximum 10 percent rating, and the claim for separate ratings is denied.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board finds no legal basis for a higher schedular evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent, so he cannot receive a separate rating for it.

The veteran's claim for separate evaluations for tinnitus of the left and right ears is denied as there is no legal basis for such a claim under current regulations.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete notification and a need to obtain SSA records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The claims for compensable evaluations for right and left clavicle disorders, as well as the claim for a 10 percent evaluation for multiple noncompensable disabilities are inextricably intertwined with the tinnitus claim.

The case is being remanded for a VA examination by an otolaryngologist to determine the likely etiology of the veteran's tinnitus, including whether it is related to service noise exposure.