Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no competent medical evidence of a current disability.

The appellant's claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10% for tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA medical examination and issuance of a Statement of the Case addressing his claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus. His claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss will also be remanded.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, is not service-connected. Essential hypertension and coronary artery disease are also not service-connected, but are found to be related to diabetes mellitus. Erectile dysfunction is not service-connected, but is considered proximately due to diabetes mellitus. Chronic tinnitus is service-connected as a complication of hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no legal basis for a schedular evaluation in excess of the current ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diagnosed disabilities of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and he is denied separate ratings for each ear.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and migraine headaches prior to October 19, 2004, and to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent from October 19, 2004, was denied. The veteran is only entitled to a maximum 10 percent rating for his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current tinnitus is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The claim for myositis remains pending as an examination is needed to determine its relationship with service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension (including as secondary to PTSD). The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus, have made him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, as well as his tinnitus, were not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, right knee disability as secondary to service-connected torn meniscus of the left knee, and lumbar spine disability as secondary to service-connected torn meniscus of the left knee have been denied. The evidence did not provide sufficient details about the stressors claimed by the veteran.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of a diagnosis of asbestosis or any other chronic respiratory disease. As such, the claim for service connection for asbestosis is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus disability was not incurred or aggravated during active service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, but granted service connection for PTSD with a rating of 100 percent effective from August 5, 2005.