Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a left ankle disorder, as well as his attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision found no current disabilities that would meet VA criteria for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for tinnitus, chronic low back disability, or an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and the current conditions are not related to service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied, and his claim for service connection for dizziness as secondary to service-connected tinnitus is pending.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current tinnitus to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected dementia contributed to his choice to ride an ATV in inclement weather, leading to his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is not related to service, specifically his noise exposure as a mechanic and from gunfire during deployment. The medical evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, chloracne, unspecified skin disability, and organic brain disorder due to a lack of evidence indicating an intent to file an informal claim prior to February 15, 1996.

The veteran's duodenal ulcer, confirmed by x-ray examination, first manifested in service and is presumed to have been incurred during active military service within the first year following active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, hypertension, and tinnitus. The decision found no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities, and that there was no medical nexus between the veteran's hypertension and active service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Tinnitus was found to be related to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes and finds that his conditions are not related to service. Therefore, he is denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine the current nature and etiology of the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal will be REMANDED for these purposes.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection of defective hearing in the left ear and tinnitus was denied as there is no indication that a formal or informal claim was filed prior to April 26, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not due to acoustic trauma in service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, arthritis of the lumbar spine, and varicose veins and thrombophlebitis of the right leg are denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic tinnitus is related to his service, specifically his aerial gunnery training and combat experiences. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between his current bilateral hearing loss disability and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA audiological examination and reviewing all relevant medical records to determine if there is any link between the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for tinnitus and service connection for hearing loss in his left ear, finding that there is no legal basis to grant these claims based on VA regulations.