Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, but finds that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, blepharitis and pinguecula of both eyes, headaches, and a skin disorder of the feet were denied as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and records are needed to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are due to disease or injury incurred in service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because he failed to report for a VA examination scheduled to evaluate his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during service or are otherwise related to his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Board found that there is no competent diagnosis of PTSD based on a corroborated in-service stressor, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The issue of tinnitus was not addressed due to the remand.

The Veteran's tinnitus, first shown many years following discharge from service, is more likely unrelated to the Veteran's active service, including any in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased evaluation to 50 percent effective July 11, 2007. The Board found that the symptoms from this date onward more closely approximated a 70 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is etiologically linked to his period of active service. The Veteran did not develop a compensable level of hearing loss within one year of his discharge from service.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss or tinnitus, and the VA examiner opined that any current right foot disability is not related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a verified in-service stressor for PTSD, and there was no indication of exposure to herbicide or asbestos during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, bilateral pes planus, bilateral heel spurs, and a bilateral ankle disability, are not related to his military service. The Veteran did not exhibit these conditions in service or within one year after discharge, and there is no evidence of their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's tinnitus, epilepsy, and headaches have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned a 10 percent disability rating for his epilepsy, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and denied his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and skin cancer, finding that the Veteran's subjective complaints are credible and linking his conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the appellant does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The VA also found no etiological link between the appellant's military service and tinnitus, thus denying his claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a higher rating for tinnitus.