Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, meeting all criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to military noise exposure, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service and denied the claim. The issue of tinnitus was remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and tinnitus. The veteran's psychiatric disorder claim is not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely than not related to acoustic trauma sustained during his military service, including as a fighter pilot and landing signal officer. The claims for service connection were granted.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's time in active duty.,The claim for service connection for depression and anxiety disorder (claimed as nerves) was also denied, with the decision being final due to lack of timely NOD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss in his right ear, as defined by VA regulations. As such, service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical strain, radiculopathy in the left lower extremity, and bilateral tinnitus do not warrant a disability rating higher than the current 10 percent ratings.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus has been denied as there is no legal basis to award separate ratings for each ear, and the disability does not meet the criteria for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and skin cancer, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to his current deployment. He needs to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the lump on his right hand, tinnitus, and any acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for hearing loss and concluding that tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection. The claims for COPD, dental disability, headaches, sinusitis, and rhinitis were denied.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material for any of the service connection claims, thus denying their reopening.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for facial scars and tinnitus, finding no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for VA examinations to determine the nature, severity and etiology of any current hearing loss, tinnitus, wrist, or back disorder. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left arm condition, and headaches as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral blurry vision with a right eye cataract, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hip disability were denied. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, skin condition, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis or link these conditions to service.