Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and review of his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred due to a disease, injury or event in service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims.

The Board found no evidence of a current right ankle/heel disorder, hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, or tinnitus as incurred in service. The veteran's complaints and symptoms were not supported by medical evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a back condition, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The evidence does not support these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned to the RO after this development.

A rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted prior to January 24, 2005.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted from January 24, 2005.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 31, 2004 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking his current tinnitus to his active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus is not attributable to his military service, including to any noise exposure he may have experienced.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure, with reasonable doubt resolving in favor of a finding of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of frostbite of the feet or tinnitus due to service. The claim for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to their severity.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10% is already assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for hearing loss and for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The appellant withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection and increased evaluations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for mitral valve prolapse, finding that it is presumed to have been incurred during active duty. The other issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including tinnitus, bilateral arm disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and cervical spine/neck disorder, are not related to his service or any service-connected disabilities. As such, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his disabilities are not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding disability ratings and effective dates.