Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral tinnitus is as likely the result of his noise exposure in service or associated with his service-connected noise-induced left ear hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to in-service combat noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service period, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a perforated left eardrum under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, may be service-connected due to combat exposure. Tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service. A pulmonary disorder is not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than August 22, 1995 for the TDIU is not warranted as it was not factually ascertainable prior to this date that the veteran's service-connected disabilities made her unemployable.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and tinnitus, as well as his claim for astigmatism and marginal blepharitis (bilateral eye pain), finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims.

The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under DC 6260. The RO denied his request for a higher rating as there is no provision for separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus is denied as there is no legal basis to assign a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hand disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and eye disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims, including a lack of VA audiology examination results and missing service medical records. The veteran needs further examinations and development.

The Board has vacated the February 2008 decision denying non-service-connected pension and remanded for further development. The veteran's claim is now pending again, with a focus on determining if he is permanently and totally disabled.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant an increased evaluation, as his puretone thresholds did not meet criteria for a higher rating. The veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while his claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for vascular headaches, peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease of both upper and lower extremities, tinea pedis/fungus infection/onychomycosis of both feet, all claimed as secondary to cold exposure. The decision also denies his claims for new and material evidence regarding service connection for residuals of cold injury; bilateral hearing loss; weakness and numbness of both lower and upper extremities; disability of both hands, manifested by pain, stiffness, and cold sensitivity; disability of both feet, manifested by pain, stiffness, fallen arches, and cold sensitivity; sinusitis; bilateral ankle disability; and bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA audiometric examination and further development of evidence related to hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case has been remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development regarding the conversion of in-service audiometric findings from ASA standards to ISO-ANSI.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, and a left knee disability due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for separate ratings for tinnitus and increased disability ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis were denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of such ratings, given the current schedular evaluations.

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.