Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The veteran's chronic sleep apnea and tinnitus have been granted service connection, but the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus (10%) has been assigned. The effective date of the award for tinnitus is not being granted.

The Board has granted the veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is a medical nexus between the veteran's current hearing loss and his in-service noise exposure. The issue of service connection for tinnitus remains pending.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent evaluations for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the regulations only allow a single 10 percent rating for tinnitus, regardless of whether it affects one or both ears.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with appropriate notice regarding his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a prostate condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The conditions were not related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, scar of the left cheek, and scar of the right breast. The claim for service connection for a chronic cardiac disorder (hypertension) is also granted. Service connection is established for these conditions based on new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cardiac ischemia and hypertension, left great toe fractures, tinnitus, depression, and hearing loss, are found to be sufficient for a TDIU determination.

The Board has jurisdiction to consider the claim of service connection for hearing loss on the merits, but deferred a decision on tinnitus until the hearing loss claim is fully developed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected tinnitus, finding that a single 10 percent rating is the maximum available under current regulations.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to incidents of military service, as there is no objective evidence revealing hearing loss or tinnitus during or for years after service. The veteran served in combat with the enemy in Korea but did not meet VA criteria for hearing loss disability until 26 years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and PTSD was not diagnosed. Therefore, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran is likely to have PTSD due to traumatic experiences in service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinus condition. The appeal is also REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the left arm/wrist/hand and right arm/elbow disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The right knee disability claim was not addressed as it pertained to a different RO decision.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year post-service. The claims for increased rating for PTSD are referred to the RO.