Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he has service connection for hypertension and tinnitus. The right ankle disability claim was not addressed due to the veteran's prior disapproval.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and adjustment disorder with anxious features was denied. The Board found that the maximum evaluation authorized under DC 6260 (for tinnitus) is a single 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative balance as to whether these conditions are related to service. The claim for increased PTSD rating remains pending.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined rating of 60 percent, which is below the threshold required by regulation.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities result in his needing assistance with activities of daily living such as transferring himself from bed to wheelchair, standing, and dressing. The Board finds that the veteran meets the criteria for aid and attendance due to his right knee disability causing poor balance and ambulation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus, skin disability, or peripheral neuropathy related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current tinnitus is causally related to his military service or associated with his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied by the RO, with a decision in favor of the RO on both issues.

The veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was denied, and his claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied an increased rating for PTSD. The veteran is currently receiving treatment at the Mental Health Clinic.

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability and the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease was denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service or a service-connected disability, while the PTSD claim was granted.,The claims for depression and low back disorder were reopened but not granted.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of service, and the Board has granted service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 22, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's exposure to noise during his naval aviator duties in Vietnam is related to his current condition. Service connection for hearing loss of the right ear was not established due to lack of a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board found no current disability related to service for pseudotumor cerebri, headaches, tinnitus, or low back pain. Therefore, the veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service for any of these conditions.

The Board denied a disability rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus and denied entitlement to a disability rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss.