Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and thus denied both claims of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding no legal basis for a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and that the criteria for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss have not been met.

The veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and skin cancer (claimed as melanoma and basal cell carcinoma) are not related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's current tinnitus to his active duty service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for injured feet, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability or tinnitus as a result of service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining authentication of supporting statements and securing treatment records. The veteran's inner ear disability is being evaluated to determine if it is related to service noise trauma.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current heart disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding that his left ear disorders were not caused by VA medical treatment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, depression, HIV infection, Hepatitis B and C, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The reasons were that there was no diagnosis of PTSD or other conditions in service, no credible evidence supporting claimed stressors, and no medical nexus between current disabilities and military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the veteran with a VA examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and thus cannot establish service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For tinnitus, there is no evidence of a relationship to in-service noise exposure or any other incident of his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of verified in-service stressors. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and granted a 10% rating for hypertension, finding that the veteran's current symptoms are well-controlled by medication.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and potentially obtaining missing service records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including exposure to noise during service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.