Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because he did not timely file a Substantive Appeal with respect to the March 2006 denial of service connection for tinnitus. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been obtained to reopen his claim is remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's request to withhold compensation due to his receipt of separation pay, finding that recoupment was required by law.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a skin condition, with the latter being based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his tinnitus disability is currently assigned a 10% evaluation. The veteran seeks higher evaluations for both conditions.,The RO denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to initial compensable evaluations for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for service-connected tinnitus.

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

The RO denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The case is being remanded to the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and thus denied service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and medical records from SSA.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for additional development due to missing service medical records and inconsistencies in the evidence. The case will be reviewed again after the requested development is completed.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service. The claim to reopen the nephritis claim was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran currently has tinnitus that is related to his period of service. Given this balance, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to award a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current flat feet and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his period of active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a pre-existing disability in service or within one year post-service. The VA examinations did not show any current hearing loss meeting VA criteria for a disability.

The Board has denied service connection for ligamentous laxity of the MCP joint of the right thumb and residuals of a left knee injury. Service connection is necessary for examination for osteoarthritis of the right knee, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,The Board also denied an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not originate in service or within one year of discharge, nor are they otherwise related to any period of service. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.