Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both rated at 10 percent disabling effective October 31, 2005. The appellant's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial in February 2004.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of current right hand disability, right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, or tinnitus related to active service. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and generalized arthritis. The evidence does not show these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have its onset during active service and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for a back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and epidermophytosis) do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's tinnitus is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation available, and there is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus, meet the criteria for a TDIU effective September 17, 2009. The claim is remanded to consider entitlement to a TDIU prior to that date on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to his military service. The VA examinations did not find a link between the Veteran's current tinnitus and his time in service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including examinations and verification of stressor events.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during his active service and the Board has determined that it was incurred therein, granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service discharge was under other than honorable conditions due to a general court-martial in 1969, and therefore his character of service is a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 13, 2007 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media. The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown during active service or within one year of separation, nor is there evidence linking it to in-service noise exposure. Tinnitus was not shown during service but may be related to post-service events. Otitis media has been linked to pre-service employment.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service, and the Board finds that his bilateral knee disability is not related to service. The claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing impairment and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.