Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and no higher. The appeal for a higher initial rating is denied.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and active military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent since January 26, 2006.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to April 1, 2008 was denied.,Since April 1, 2008, a compensable (non-compensable) rating has been assigned for his bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus is being remanded due to insufficient information about his claimed stressors and the need for further examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding an increased rating for tinnitus. The veteran's service-connected bilateral pingueculae, nasal side, is granted a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The RO found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, as his current evaluation is already at the maximum schedular rating (10%). For tinnitus, he currently receives the highest schedular rating of 10%, which cannot be increased further under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current condition is related to his in-service exposure to aircraft noise. Service connection for a low back disability was denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of medical evidence diagnosing the condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no medical evidence or opinion even suggesting a medical nexus between any current tinnitus and service.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, carcinoma of the colon, a skin condition, and PTSD. The denial was based on the absence of medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to noise exposure during his active service. Bilateral hearing loss was granted, while tinnitus was also granted.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's tinnitus or hypertension to his service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied due to insufficient evidence supporting his claimed stressors during active duty.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus was denied as he did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to September 30, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence supporting a relationship between these conditions and his military service.