Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure. The veteran also has asbestosis with lung scarring, which is linked to his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including National Guard service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to active service due to noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have tinnitus that is causally or etiologically related to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied as the evidence does not show that the schedular criteria are inadequate for evaluating his conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during his active duty. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for Osgood-Schlatter disease, right knee and depression as secondary to the veteran's other conditions. Service connection was denied for degenerative disc disease of the low back, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The veteran's PTSD, right leg scar, and burns of the hands are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied his claims for higher ratings on these conditions. Service connection was not established for residuals of burns to the face, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence to support a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its associated conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a total rating for compensation based on individual unemployability and failed to restore service connection for dyshidrotic eczema.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence of current residuals of a left ear infection. The VA examiner opined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not due to noise exposure in service.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for lumbar spine injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.