Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the current record is insufficient to constitute a basis to award service connection for GERD, as there is no confirmed treatment for this condition since 2003. The veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also remanded due to inadequate examination results.

The Board found no evidence to support the appellant's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and fibromyalgia. The appellant did not have a current disability that meets VA criteria for these conditions at the time of her claim or during the appeal period.

The veteran's tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations, and a separate rating for each ear is not permitted.

The veteran's GERD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all found to be related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, so separate ratings for each ear are denied.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is already assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and therefore no separate ratings are warranted.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent evaluations for his service-connected tinnitus is denied as the condition is assigned a single 10 percent rating under applicable regulations.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already assigned the maximum evaluation of 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied.

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

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of in-service evidence and negative post-service treatment records. The claims for other issues were not addressed as the veteran withdrew his appeal on some of these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of any such conditions during or immediately after his military service. The VA audiometric examination found no current hearing loss or tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (post-traumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected disability for tinnitus or bilateral hearing loss with vertigo (Mônière's disease). The evidence shows no in-service occurrence of these conditions and no medical link to service.

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 schedular 10 percent disability ratings (one for each ear) for bilateral tinnitus is denied as there is no legal basis to award such ratings.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. There is no legal basis for a higher rating as there is only one disability rating allowed for bilateral tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already receiving the maximum rating of 10 percent, and no further increase in rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, leading to a grant of service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hearing loss, and tinnitus related to exposure to Agent Orange are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to conflicting medical findings and need for further analysis of his hearing loss and tinnitus.