Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral pes planus were all denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and coronary artery disease due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal was timely filed, but the criteria for establishing entitlement to vocational rehabilitation benefits pursuant to Chapter 31 of Title 38, United States Code, have not been met.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board or Video Conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge in accordance with the Veteran's preference.

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

The Veteran's bilateral otitis externa was incurred in active duty. The Board has also found that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for his hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as these conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's right ear and left ear hearing loss were present at service entry, and the Board finds no evidence of aggravation during service. The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown in service or within a year of discharge from service, and there is no competent medical evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus, which is considered a direct result of his military service due to combat noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and insufficient evidence to decide the case. The claim for tinnitus has been granted, but further examination is needed to determine if current hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure in service.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for hearing loss, and denied service connection for bilateral astigmatism as it is not a disease or injury within the meaning of applicable legislation. Service connection was granted for tinnitus, sinusitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 16, 2005. Service connection for the residuals of cold injury (frozen feet) is granted. Service connection for a back disorder (residuals of spinal meningitis) and knee disorders are also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but his PTSD is granted with a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date determinations were denied. The Board found that the residuals of a fracture of the left olecranon warranted a 20 percent rating, but not higher. Effective dates prior to April 5, 2005, could not be granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss of the right ear is service-connected, while his hearing loss of the left ear and tinnitus are not. The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is also not service-connected.

The Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that was caused or aggravated by his service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims, and thus denies them.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be as likely as not attributable to acoustic trauma in service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be as likely as not attributable to the same etiology as his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.