Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral tinnitus and low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and chronic sinusitis, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions during service and concluded that there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the current disabilities and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his active military service, specifically exposure to loud gunfire during training. As a result, the veteran is granted service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or a current disability. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions could not be attributed to military service without resorting to medical speculation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and further development is required.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable. The evidence showed he had cognitive disorder and PTSD but was still capable of performing light duty work.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent, and no higher. The Board finds that there is no legal basis for granting a separate rating for each ear.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and there is no evidence of such conditions during service. As a result, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as there is no competent evidence linking it to service.

The Board has decided that the VA audiologist's opinion is unclear and requires further clarification. The veteran's tinnitus claim must be remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of service, specifically noise exposure during military service. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Houston, Texas. The veteran and his representative will be notified of the date and time of the hearing.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional development, including a new VA audiology examination, is needed to address the nature and etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus, finding no current diagnosis related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The RO previously denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss in August 1969 due to no indication of aggravation beyond normal progression during service. For tinnitus, the Board found that there is no competent evidence linking it to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as his current disability ratings are already at their maximum allowable levels under VA regulations.

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

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or are related to his military service, thus denying both claims.