Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear tinnitus and malaria. The claims for shrapnel injuries to the left arm and right knee were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for right ear damage and hearing loss was also denied.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260 has already been assigned.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus as they are not related to the veteran's active military service.,Service connection was not granted for a gait disorder as it is not shown to be proximately due to the veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private medical records related to the veteran's tinnitus.

The Board found no evidence of a hiatal hernia or GERD during service, and denied the veteran's claims for tinnitus and hiatal hernia with gastro esophageal reflux (GERD).

The veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate medical examination, particularly regarding the relationship between current disabilities and military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his anxiety disorder and tinnitus significantly affect his ability to work in a structured environment. The combined rating of 70% does not meet the threshold for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for residuals of in-service mustard gas exposure as it was withdrawn by the appellant. The claim for recurrent tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or tinnitus, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The veteran's symptoms are more consistent with an adjustment disorder rather than PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset in service and is not related to his active military service. The initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, status post meniscectomy, remains denied as there was no evidence provided to support a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, which covers both ears. The Board finds that the claim for separate ratings for each ear cannot be granted as it would violate the regulations and interpretations in place at the time.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between in-service noise exposure and these conditions. The veteran's STRs do not show any complaints or findings related to hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and post-service medical records indicate that the disabilities did not manifest until decades after service.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Joseph's Medical Center from May 2, 2004, through May 4, 2004 is denied as there was no indication of a medical emergency that would have necessitated immediate treatment.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of medical records.

The VA Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely than not related to service, including noise exposure during basic training and while detonating munitions. The evidence showed significant occupational noise exposure from his meat-packing plant work over many years after service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in his left ear, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss are granted. However, the claim for a low back disorder is denied as there was no in-service injury or incident related to this condition.