Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim for bilateral hearing loss. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's current tinnitus was not likely caused by noise exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's in-service acoustic trauma is at least as likely as not related to his current condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The RO denied these claims on the merits, as there was no evidence showing a direct connection to service.

The veteran's sinus disorder is likely attributable to his period of active military service, and the Board finds that he has a sinus disorder that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and were not related to his in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded that the current conditions are more likely due to occupational noise exposure after service.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's syndrome disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The VA examinations and medical records do not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not due to disease or injury incurred in service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin disorder. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus did not begin in service and was not due to any incident therein. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity that they prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but an effective date prior to November 29, 2002 is not warranted as the earliest possible effective date would be that day.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities due to service and therefore, service connection is denied for all issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining worker's compensation records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of the veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide proper VCAA notice regarding service connection for tinnitus. The veteran's claim is now pending and will be reviewed again after necessary development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His hypertension was not rated higher than 10 percent, his scar on the left leg did not meet criteria for a compensable rating, and he failed to establish service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical examination to determine if the veteran's service-connected disabilities, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The RO will then readjudicate the issue.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The Board also found that the veteran's tinnitus was not likely related to his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran is competent for VA benefits purposes and does not lack the mental capacity to contract or manage his own affairs, including disbursement of funds.