Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, headaches, tinnitus, a skin rash (presumably due to herbicide exposure), and a psychiatric disorder (presumably PTSD). The claim for residuals of a right ankle injury was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received since the previous denial.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 30, 2002 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been denied as the evidence does not establish that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service and therefore denied both claims.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection due to a lack of verified active military service, as his name change was not legally recognized.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The VA examiner found it unlikely that the disabilities resulted from acoustic trauma during service.

The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right hand disorder are being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examinations.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the veteran failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in connection with his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, the claims were denied as there was no evidence of current disability or link between service and these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service. The VA examiner found the most likely etiology for the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus was age-related factors (presbycusis).

The Board finds that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service. The VA audiologist indicated that the tinnitus is less likely than not due to military noise exposure, while the private physician suggested a possible connection between tinnitus and military service.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated in active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of current tinnitus and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to an effective date earlier than May 18, 2004 for TDIU. The RO assigned TDIU on a schedular basis as of May 18, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise with regard to these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for new and material evidence to reopen his left hip disability claim. The TDIU claim was also denied as he did not meet the percentage requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus. The veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not considered to be related to his military service, while the tinnitus may be linked to noise exposure in service or associated with his service-connected right ear hearing loss.

The case is remanded due to the inconsistency in audiometric test results, and a new VA examination is required to determine if the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and granted a zero percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of current disability related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a dental condition as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus (DM). The remaining claims are remanded for further action.