Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating, finding that the evidence did not show unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to November 20, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, neck disorder, shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, right leg disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an anxiety disorder as there is no competent medical evidence of record showing current diagnoses or that the disorders are related to active military service.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, cataracts, residuals of a cold injury, tinnitus, dental disorder, and left leg disorder as there was no evidence to support a diagnosis or link to service.

The Board found that the evidence supported service connection for hepatitis C, but not for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, irritable bowel syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for PTSD was reopened but ultimately denied due to the lack of a valid diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected tinnitus was denied as the maximum rating under the applicable diagnostic code has already been assigned.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from June 3, 2004 to February 5, 2007 and increased to 50 percent thereafter due to worsening symptoms.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right foot condition, a left knee condition, and residuals of a pulled left shoulder muscle as there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a 30 percent disability rating as of January 12, 2008. Service connection for tinnitus and COPD was denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence relating the condition to his military service. The appeal to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hand disorder was also denied.

The Board remanded the case to obtain an updated opinion on the etiology of tinnitus, considering the Veteran's report of experiencing it since active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened based on new and material evidence, but the Board found that his current tinnitus is not related to service. The Board also determined that there is no evidence supporting a conclusion that the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus in the right ear as there was no competent evidence linking it to service or symptoms since service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, a low back disability, and a right foot stress fracture. The Veteran's recurrent aphthous stomatitis does not warrant a compensable rating, and the initial evaluation for irritable bowel syndrome remains at 10 percent.

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

The Board denied service connection for otitis externa, residuals of a right jaw fracture, and hypertension. The claim to reopen for adenoma of the thyroid gland was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus, as no communication expressing intent to apply for benefits regarding tinnitus was received within one year of discharge or prior to February 10, 2006.