Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities for VA compensation purposes, and there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions. The Board also found no indication of a pre-existing left wrist condition prior to active duty service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin rash, and hyperplasia of the prostate. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The appellant's hypesthesia, post operative, of the right lower lip is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,Service connection for a right hand condition was denied.,Service connection for a right wrist disability was denied.,Service connection for a left wrist disability was denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted effective from April 11, 2005. This is the earliest date on which he had a formal or informal claim of service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional consideration of his claims, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned to the Board after further review.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus of the right ear, arthritis secondary to diabetes mellitus, and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between current symptoms and active duty. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service acoustic trauma exposure. The decision on bilateral hearing loss and headaches remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased rating for his right middle finger disability. The veteran's left ear hearing loss was not shown to have been aggravated by service, while his tinnitus and right middle finger disability were not found to be related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the veteran's claims, including his right little finger injury, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the RO due to the veteran's request.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under DC 6260. There is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's tinnitus, including whether it is related to in-service noise exposure and/or service-connected hearing loss. The claim will be readjudicated with consideration of secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to address the nature, extent, and etiology of the veteran's left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorder claims. The case is therefore REMANDED for these actions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the merits of the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. A new VA audiological examination is required, as well as a review of the claim based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with exposure to noise from aircraft. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the March 1956 rating decision that denied service connection for headaches and tinnitus as residuals of a head injury sustained during active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral tinnitus and chronic otitis media, as well as his claim for a higher evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim was granted based on the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VCAA notice.